Beard Trim on a Client with a Bleeding Disorder
A new client comes in for a beard trim and shape-up. During the consultation, he mentions that he has hemophilia and takes blood thinners. He has a few small nicks from shaving at home. He requests a close trim with a straight razor outline. You have a straight razor that was disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required contact time. The client's beard is coarse, and you anticipate possible nicking.
1. How should you modify your service to ensure the client's safety?
Read the worked answer
Because the client has a bleeding disorder and takes blood thinners, any nick could cause prolonged bleeding. Therefore, avoid using a straight razor for outlining. Instead, use clippers or trimmers with a guard to achieve a close trim without breaking the skin. If a straight razor is absolutely necessary, use extreme caution, but it's safer to avoid it. Also, do not shave over the existing nicks. Use a fresh blade if using a razor. Keep styptic powder available but note that it may not be effective for hemophilia. Recommend the client consult his doctor before any service that might cause bleeding. Document the conversation.
2. What are the infection control implications if a nick occurs and bleeding happens?
Read the worked answer
If bleeding occurs, stop the service immediately. Put on gloves if not already wearing. Clean the area with an antiseptic wipe. Apply pressure with a clean gauze. Dispose of all contaminated materials in a biohazard bag. The razor must be cleaned and disinfected again before reuse. The client's blood is potentially infectious, so follow standard precautions. Also, the barber should be careful not to contact the blood with bare hands. After the incident, clean and disinfect the workstation. Record the incident in the shop's exposure control plan log.