This document discusses contagious conditions and safe work practices for hairdressers. It describes conditions like head lice, scabies, ringworm, and impetigo that are contagious and explains their symptoms and how they spread. It also covers non-infectious conditions like dandruff, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and hair loss issues. Finally, it provides guidelines for safe work practices like hand washing, cleaning equipment between clients, and proper disposal of razors to prevent the spread of infections.

1. 3/1/2013
Academy of Hairdressing and Beauty TAFE WSI
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Contraindications

2. Contagious conditions may include:
•Head Lice
•Scabies
•Ringworm (tinea capitis)

3. Head lice
The eggs called nits which are fixed tightly around the
hair shaft with a cement like glue.

4. Infestations Head lice
•Contagious infestation caused by the head louse (animal parasite)
•The louse lives for about 4 to 5 weeks
•The female lays eggs (nits) close to the scalp
•Almost invisible to the naked eye, which lives in the hair and feeds by
sucking human blood.

6. Scabies
•Rarely found on the face or scalp. It is found on the hands, wrists, armpits,
buttocks or genital region.
•Caused by an animal infestation.
•Mite parasite burrows under the skin to lay its eggs.
•Main symptoms are an intense itch which causes scabs to form.
•Spread by close physical contact or contact with infected clothing or
towels.

7. Scalp Ringworm (tinea capitis)
•Caused by a fungal infection which spreads
by direct physical contact with infected
persons or animals.
•Extremely contagious
•Starts as a small red patch of blisters.
•As the patches spread, hair becomes
lifeless, brittle and breaks off leaving stumps.
•Found on the scalp or body and mainly in
children.

8. Impetigo (school sores)
•Bacterial skin infection
•Commonly occurs around the nose and
mouth.
•Blisters that may burst, ooze fluid, and
develop a honey-coloured crust.
•Impetigo is spread through direct
contact with infected skin

9. Non – Infectious Conditions

10. Non-Infectious Conditions
Non-contagious conditions cannot be spread from one
person to another.
May include:
•Dandruff
Pityriasis capitis simplex
Pityriasis seborrhoea
•Dermatitis
•Psoriasis
•Eczema
•Moles
•Hair loss
•Alopecia

11. Dandruff : There are two forms of dandruff include:
Pityriasis capitis simplex (Dry dandruff)
•White scales and an itchy scalp
•Loosely attached and scattered
•Caused by an under active sebaceous
gland. Not enough natural oil (sebum) is
produced to lubricate the scalp.
Pityriasis Seborrhoea (Oily dandruff)
•Scales are mixed with sebum
•Scales stick to hair
•large fatty, yellow waxy coloured patches or scales
formed on the scalp.
•Underneath the sticky crusts the scalp may be red and
inflamed.
•In young babies this condition is known as "cradle
cap".
•It is caused by an over active sebaceous gland making
the scalp look greasy.

12. Eczema
•Inflammatory skin condition
•Rash like appearance
•Watery discharge and scales and crusts may develop
•Itchy sensation is present
•Causes: inherited, allergic reaction.

13. Dermatitis
•Areas of the skin are inflamed
•Can be on any area of the body
•Refer to doctor
•Caused by contact with chemicals

14. Psoriasis
•Skin appears red
•Scales develop which are silvery in colour
•Scales become thick, crusty, yellow and quite hard
•Scales are attached firmly to the scalp
•Psoriasis may be caused by stress and hereditary
factors

15. Moles
•Pigmented moles come in many shapes and sizes.
•Moles can be both harmful and harmless
NOTE:
hairdressers may become aware of unusual markings/moles on a client and advise them to the
seek Medical advice

16. Hair Loss
•Many reasons determine why hair loss occurs
•Hair loss may be caused by:
Fungal infections
Bacterial infections
Medication
Medical treatments
Pregnancy/Childbirth
Hormonal changes
Hereditary factors
Stress
Abnormal hair loss is often referred to as Alopecia

17. Alopecia Totalis
Loss of all hair on the scalp
Alopecia Universalis
Loss of all scalp and body hair

18. Alopecia Areata
Patchy hair loss on the scalp
May or may not regain hair lost

19. Safe Work Practices
All equipment must be cleaned as soon as it is used.
When cleaning follow these guidelines:
• Gloves should be worn
• Pre-rinse equipment in cold water
• Wash in tepid water and detergent
• Hold item under water and scrub with a clean brush
• Equipment that cannot be washed must be wiped clean with 70% alcohol on a clean cotton
pad
• Dry and store in a dust free environment

20. Factsheets
HAIRDRESSING AND BARBERS - HYGIENE
STANDARDS
Fact sheets has been developed by NSW Health to assist hairdressers and barbers adopt good
infection control practices. The following pages are some of the guidelines form these fact sheets for
more information please follow the link at NSW Health website for the skin penetration industry

21. Personal hygiene for hairdressers and barbers
•Hands should be washed i) before and after attending a client; ii) before and
after a procedure; iii) after exposure to a body substance; iv) after touching a
clients surroundings and v) after the removal of gloves
•See Hand Hygiene Australia website for additional information on how to wash
your hands. http://www.hha.org.au/AboutHandHygiene.aspx
•Cuts or wounds should be covered with a sealed waterproof bandage

22. Equipment
•Equipment that is difficult to clean should only be used once and then thrown
away (single-use only)
•Towels or other types of linen used for covering or protection during the
procedure must be clean at the start of each treatment. Linen should be washed in
detergent and hot water
•All equipment should be cleaned between use, including combs, brushes, rollers,
streaking caps, clippers and scissors and be kept in a clean and dry condition
•Manual clippers with non-detachable blades should not be used as they cannot
be easily cleaned
•Detachable blades on clippers must be cleaned before being re-used
•Equipment should not be soaked in solutions of disinfectant unless specified by
the manufacturer's instructions. Cleaning the equipment in warm water and
detergent and allowing it to air dry should be sufficient
•Disposable razors should be used for shaving. They should be used once and
then thrown away into an approved sharps container
•Scissors that accidentally penetrate the skin must be sterilised if they are to be
reused