Contagion in barbershops - Via scissors and razor blades: Skin fungus spreads
Days of the week have no direct translation in the given text, therefore they will remain unchanged. Here's the English translation:
Slippery and sometimes pus-filled fungal infections on the head and in the beard area are on the rise, particularly among young male adolescents and young men. Experts believe that most of these individuals are becoming infected in barbershops - that is, in barber shops that primarily cater to this customer group and advertise with attractive prices.
"The increasing number of infections with the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans is a real problem and has only emerged in the last approximately three years," reports Pietro Nenoff, laboratory doctor and professor of dermatology at the University of Leipzig. "There is a steady increase." The cause of the infections is poor hygiene and inadequate disinfection of, for example, razors.
Diagnostic cases multiply
In his lab, labopart, nearly 350 cases of this rather rare fungus were identified in the previous year, Nenoff explains. "That's a lot for this fungus." Nationwide, there may now be thousands of infections.
Initially, infections were mainly reported from the old federal states, "now the whole of Germany is affected," says dermatologist Martin Schaller from the University of Tübingen. He spoke to the news magazine "Der Spiegel" over the weekend about a "European epidemic." The fungus is now being detected three- to five-fold more often than before, according to Schaller and Nenoff.
Barbershops are common sources of infection
The connection between infections and visits to the barbershop is now widely accepted, explains Nenoff. Initially, colleagues from Duisburg suspected this a few years ago, after 17 adolescent and young men became infected and all had previously visited the same barbershop. A source for the fungus was not found at first.
Researchers from Kiel were able to identify infections from other affected individuals with the pathogen in a previously visited barbershop three years later: The fungus was found in razors and a drawer for storing the razors.
High dark number - Reporting duty demanded
The dark number is high because there is no reporting duty for this fungus, says Nenoff. Trichophyton tonsurans is highly contagious and can also be transmitted within families or groups of kindergarten children who were previously in contact with an infected person.
The treatment is not simple for minors, as the tablets against it are not approved for use in those under 18 years of age, says Nenoff. "The disease should be reportable. It's obvious." We must find the sources of infection and urgently appeal for barbershops to adhere to common hygiene standards.
Friseur association demands more controls
One possible reason for the spread of the fungus: ignorance about hygienic requirements and the insufficient training of employees or the employment of unskilled workers. Often, there is no master hairdresser on site who can ensure the observance of hygienic standards, says Judith Warmuth, master hairdresser of the hairdresser association in Erlangen. This includes the professional disinfection of machines and scissors with special agents or also dipping the hairdresser utensils in special disinfection solutions. She doubts that the employees in barbershops are adequately trained.
Barbershops have their justification for existence," says Warmuth. The fungus is not limited to that place alone. However, it is important that businesses in general are better controlled by the Chamber of Crafts or professional associations. "The regulatory authorities are signaling too much," she finds. "We are fighting for closer scrutiny." The Hairdressing Trade Association declined to comment and referred to the Erlangen Hairdressing Guild.
Mold has been known for decades
The mold has been known for decades. Many experts call it the "Mattress Mold" or "Wrestler's Mold," explains Nenoff. Originally, the fungus spread to the heads of affected individuals through combat sports, especially wrestlers on mats. "Inflections with this mold are now also associated with Barbershops."
Mold can even cause hair loss - but the infection is treatable
The infection with mold manifests itself in the form of scaly and red spots. If the fungus gets under the skin, for example, with a razor blade or through other small wounds, it can also cause pustules, ulcers, and even hair loss. An infection is treatable - externally, but also internally with tablets. The medications are effective and there are no resistances. "Not yet," says Nenoff.
- Despite the weekend discussion about the rising fungal infections among young men at the University of Tübingen, expert Pietro Nenoff from the University of Leipzig reveals a steady increase in cases caused by poor hygiene in barbershops.
- In light of the contagion concerns, barbershops across Germany are under scrutiny for proper hygiene standards, as reported by THE MIRROR, mentioning the alarming increase in cases of fungal infections traced back to these establishments.
- A German dermatologist from the University of Tübingen suggests that barbershops are common sources of contagion for the fungal infection Trichophyton tonsurans, which has seen a three-to-five-fold increase in diagnoses over the last few years.
- The German Friseur association has demanded stricter controls and training for barbershop employees, as ignorance about hygiene requirements among inadequately trained employees may exacerbate the fungal infection outbreak in these locations.
- Dermatologist Martin Schaller from the University of Tübingen states that fungal infections, previously thought to be limited to wrestling mats and combat sports, have now become prevalent in barbershops and require urgent attention due to their contagious nature and high occurrence among young men.
