Written by Dallas Duncan Keeping the Salon Clean: Preventing Bacteria, Viruses, and Other Contaminants Written by Dallas Duncan HS_CSII_2 2011

How Contaminants Enter the Body Through a wound or other skin break Contaminated water or food Inhaling airborne pathogens Eyes, ears, and other bodily fluids, such as blood Cosmetologists should be especially concerned with bloodborne pathogens If you accidentally cause a person with a bloodborne pathogen to bleed, you risk contaminating your tools or yourself Contaminants can enter the body in a variety of ways, including through the eyes

Bacteria Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can exist almost anywhere Bacteria move using whip-like flagella or cilia Most bacteria are harmless and are constantly present in the body, helping to digest food and protect against foreign pathogens Pathogens are harmful bacteria that can cause disease Because of pathogenic bacteria, salons must maintain certain health standards and regulations

Types of Pathogenic Bacteria Bacilli Most common type of bacteria Short and rod-shaped Cause diseases such as lockjaw and tuberculosis Cocci Round-shaped bacteria that can be grouped into clusters, strings, or pairs Varieties: Staphylococci, streptococci, diplococci Cause diseases such as pneumonia and strep throat Spirilla Spiral-shaped bacteria Cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease Staphylococcus bacteria

Bacteria Life Cycle Structure: Outer cell wall, internal protoplasm Active/Vegetative Stage Stage where bacteria grow and reproduce After reaching the largest size, bacteria undergo mitosis and divide to form two new cells Inactive/Spore-Forming Stage Not all bacteria form spores Spores allow bacteria to withstand hardship such as famine and unfavorable environments When conditions change, bacteria become active again Bacteria that can grow in colonies are in the active stage of their life cycle

Types of Bacterial Infection Infection: Body tissues are invaded by a pathogen Though there are some treatments for infection, many types of bacteria are becoming resistant, meaning there is now a greater need for pathogen control in cosmetology Local Infection Confined to a particular part of the body Identified by a pus-containing lesion General Infection Bloodstream carries the bacteria and its toxins to all parts of the body E. coli bacteria cause a general infection

Bacteriophage virus attacking a bacterial cell Viruses A virus is a microscopic structure that can get into the bodies of many organisms, including bacteria They infect organisms by replicating their own genetic material alongside that of their host Viruses consist of genetic material made of DNA or RNA, a protein coat, and a lipid envelope There are millions of different kinds of viruses Viruses are generally resistant to antibiotics Bacteriophage virus attacking a bacterial cell

Viruses Pertinent to Cosmetology Hepatitis Causes inflammation of the liver Three types — A, B, and C A has flu-like symptoms and can be spread through poor sanitation and poor personal hygiene B is more severe but is spread through sexual contact C is fatal and is also spread through sexual contact HIV/AIDS HIV is spread through the transmission of bodily fluids HIV can lead to AIDS, which compromises the immune system Other viruses include common colds, chicken pox, polio, and the flu Many of these other viruses can be spread through poor sanitation and poor personal hygiene Novel H1N1 Influenza Virus

Nail infected with fungus Fungi Include molds, mildews, and yeasts Can cause skin diseases such as ringworm Nail Fungus Contracted through improperly washed implements Never goes away but is usually confined to one area Can be spread between clients and from client to cosmetologist Treatment is applied to the affected area but it can require a doctor’s care Nail infected with fungus

Head lice are common parasites of interest to cosmetologists Includes head lice and scabies Parasites are smaller than their hosts and reduce the fitness and viability of the host Can live on the surface or inside the host Transmission of parasites depends on the hosts and the environment Head lice are common parasites of interest to cosmetologists