[Question #3841] Consuming Dead Skin
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86 months ago
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What is the chance of
contracting an STI or Hepatitis from the consumption of dead skin, particularly
recent foot shavings and pedicure filings. Please assume a
sufficient quantity of the substance was consumed to be of serious concern. This happened to a group of
3-4 individuals. The circumstances around this event are extremely
upsetting so I prefer to focus on the risks. I understand that
there may not be reported cases because this situation is so rare and bizarre,
so we need to know the odds of infection despite the fact that there may not be
clinically reported cases (in other words, no cases reported does not
necessarily mean low risk). Please advise if we should conduct testing.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
86 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment. We receive a fair number of questions regarding the risks associated with potentially drinking or eating contaminated material. The answer is that these are no risk events. STIs, hepatitis B and C, and HIV are each transmitted only through DIRECT contact, that is direct contact of an infected site with an uninfected site. There are no proven instances in which ingestion of STI pathogens, hepatitis B or C, or HIV have been acquired as the result of ingestion of infected material through eating or drinking contaminated material. We have also been asked in the past about the potential of infection through toe sucking and other foot fetish activities and the answer is the same-no risk. Thus my response to you is that there is not risk for STI, hepatitis or HIV acquisition from ingestion of pedicure filings, dead skin or foot shavings. If this is your only possible exposure there is no reason for concern and no need for testing of any sort.
I hope this comment is helpful to you. EWH
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86 months ago
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This is reassuring. But I wanted to ask, what if the recent filings contained blood or herpes or another virus? How is this different from making contact with an infected site or, say, drinking a cup of blood after it has left the body? Why does it matter that the material is away from the body. Removed skin is actually a part of the human body.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
86 months ago
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Your follow-up comment is a bit argumentative. My answer will not change. During sexual contact there is direct contact and operation even possibly microscopic abrasion. On the other hand with drinking or exchange of saliva, abrasion of the sort that occurs with intercourse does not occur. Further please understand that during the course of this epidemic millions and millions of people have been kissed have exchange saliva have inadvertently swallowed blood or liquids which were contaminated with HIV or other STI's yet infection has never been observed to occur. You are simply not going to be the first. Experience proves this. No change in my assessment or advice. EWH---
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86 months ago
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Understood. No intention to be argumentative. Sometimes I ask questions that I think will help me gain a deeper understanding of the topic—those questions can come off as skeptical or argumentative, so my apologies. I appreciate your time and help. I think this closes the issue for me.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
86 months ago
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Great, glad I can be helpful and sorry if I misinterpreted your response. EWH
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