[Question #1710] Eyebrow Threading?

94 months ago

Hi Drs Hook and Handsfield,

I know this is a silly question but I am trying to conceive and do not want to put my partner or possible baby in danger.

I had my eye brows threaded a month ago,

threading takes twisted thin (usually cotton or polyester), that is rolled over areas of hair, plucking the hair at the follicle. One end of the thread is kept in the beauticians mouth, that end should never touch the client. The lady doing the procedure was from India, which I know has high levels of HIV. She pinched my skin on my brow bone in between the thread leaving a cut. It did not bleed heavily, was rather just red and raw. It scabbed over and was completely gone in 2 days. While threading she got her fingers caught in the thread and looked like she perhaps cut herself. Usually they never touch you, she unprofessionally proceeded to massage my forehead. I flinched causing her to stop after about 10 seconds of massage. To my horror I got home and realized there was small amounts of dried blood in my forehead.

I have been on acne medicines (retinoids and topical antibiotics) for about 10 years leaving the skin on my face thinner than usual.

Should I be concerned she a cut that rubbed into the cut on my brow bone?

Exactly 3 weeks after I got sick with swollen nodes, sore throat, localized night sweats on my chest and neck, full body chills, a dry cough, and muscle aches.

Sorry for the silly question. Just a hopefully soon to be Mom that is scared.

Should I get tested for hiv and hep c?

Thank you!!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

94 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. I'll try to help but first must acknowledge that I was not familiar with the eyebrow threading behavior. As I read your question however, I have to say that I cannot imagine that this, even with the bleeding you accidentally experienced, put you at any risk for HIV or hepatitis, including hepatitis C. Besides the obvious fact that it is statistically unlikely that this woman had HIV, none of these infections are spread by touching, even if the person touching your eye had a cut on her hand or fingers. further, the bleeding you experienced represents blood coming out of your body, not going in and HIV and hepatitis is transmitted only be introducing infected blood into the body. I see no reason for concern and no reason for testing, other than the routine testing that is recommended if you are pregnant. My suspicion is that the symptoms you experienced recently were coincidence and nothing more. EWH
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94 months ago

Thank you so much Dr. Hook. Your expert opinion means a lot to me. I was just worried about some drops of her blood being rubbed into my fresh raw red cut on my brow bone. Just one follow up question, would that provide access to the bloodstream? I figured the cut needs to be deep but not sure. I suppose all the symptoms just scared me. I will make sure ask them never to touch my forehead in the future just to ease my mind. Thanks so much for your time!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

94 months ago

No, rubbing an open cut, even if she had a cut on her hand or fingers would not introduce her blood or any virus present into your blood stream. No reason for concern. This was a no risk event. EWH
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94 months ago

Thank you Dr. Hook!