I've been getting fungal spots on my neck and chin ever since I started straight shaving.
I would like to continue with a straight, but given my recent problem, I want to clean up the blade. How should I go about sterilizing my blade?
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I've been getting fungal spots on my neck and chin ever since I started straight shaving.
I would like to continue with a straight, but given my recent problem, I want to clean up the blade. How should I go about sterilizing my blade?
IAMA relative Noob, but I put mine in Barbicide after stropping, then I take a shower, then use it. It's in about 10 minutes.
Barbicide can be purchased online or at a local barber/salon supply.
Sterilization is nearly impossible considering the makeup of most scales and/or the high temperatures required for the process.
You can, however, disinfect it using 90% alcohol available at any pharmacy.
Getting a bug from a straight is a really rare thing. The blade isn't a good medium for bugs to grow and a rinse with antiseptic soap would wash them right off unless you were sharing a blade with someone with known serious issues. Fungal stuff especially should rinse off. It might be from something else.
That sounds not only nasty but highly unusual. The sterile nature of the razor should not be an issue in my experience. Are you sure it's fungal? Could it be irritation or burn? Do you use an alcohol based astringent or aftershave post shave? I expect these would help any fungal problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by gull
Maybe see a dermatologist if you have not already.
Good luck.
Wow. It may not be the blade, it may be other factors, too... ??
I went to a doctor already, and it is fungal. I got some medicine for it so hopefully it'll clear up.
I use witch hazel and Spieck ASB after my shave. I think the balm has a little alcohol but I can barely feel it.
Well, in any case, the razor might not be the culprit at all. I just assumed the blade might be at fault considering the placement of the fungus and when it appeared (i.e, it came when I started straight razor shaving). I'll make sure to wipe my blade down with alcohol just in case though.
I've seen a lot of people try to save money using older soaps and brushes. Anything growing on these? If this is a serious problem, I also vote for a dermitologist.
Barbicide is the #1 solution.Quote:
Originally Posted by gull
Alcohol 90% is a very good second bet -- remember to lightly
oil with mineral oil after.
Remember the first seven day set to get is a set of shaving towels that
you wash hot, perhaps with bleach and rinse well.
If reinfection is a concern rotate with different razors. If you
own only one razor add some yellow handle BiC tossables to
the mix so the straight can rest long enough for bugs to die.
Time is a good sanitizer.
You can also pick up some quality UV tube lights
and build a UV sterilizer. Just make sure there is an interlock,
timer and door. It is easy to build one that is intense enough
to do the job now that water coolers and other common
appliances use them. Careful shopping may also find one on the used
market for a good price.
I've not read advice about buying a separate set of shaving towels before this. I've not had any problems with rashes or infections. I use the same towel for a week. It is washed in warm water without bleach. Can anyone direct me to more information on this topic?Quote:
Originally Posted by niftyshaving
we have used vinegar on our butcher's knives, table and any other surface needing cleaning when processing wild game, works same as bleach but food safe as well. there is also some mention online of using vineagar on fungal infections, but i would read more before i try that one.
I agree with Ziggy that it might very well be your brush that's the culprit.Their was an article a while back on someone taking some cheap razors and seeing what the effects of using Barbicide and an enclave would be on them. Not good at all,severe damage. Maybe a short soak in the Barbicide but definitely not long I would say.Also there is mention of using woods that are in stages of decay(spalted woods) for scales in another article.If either your brush handle or blade scales are made of wood,you might look into that as fungi can apparently lay dormant until wet and then ,it can cause things like rash,infections and the like.Not trying to alarm you,just passing on some info is all. :gl:
Do a web search for "barber beautician rules towels"Quote:
Originally Posted by Qatsats
and you will find numerous state and local rules and
regulations mandating clean linen for each customer.
Harder to find are commercial laundry regulations but
commercial towel and linen services do a good job.
There will not be a lot of shaving specific information on this.
It is my personal opinion based on my Dads guidance years ago
when I first started shaving. My Dad made the point that shaving
required sanitary practices like surgery. He did encounter
problems in the Pacific Islands during WW2 where sanitation
took a second place to self protection.
Towels like socks should be laundered often.
Shaving removes a little to a lot of the surface of the skin and
that surface is for many of us the first line of defense for infections
of a hundred plus types.
Old barber books mandate a clean fresh towel for each customer.
Modern barber rules mandate a fresh towel (paper or linen) for
each customer and the barber cannot wipe his/her hand on the
towel used on customers skin (or hair)
Spa, hotels and pools will provide fresh towels daily.
Commercial laundry is a lot more aggressive than home laundry.
As for bleach, (remember that the OP felt he was coping with
a fungus) it is common sense to use the most common disinfectant
available. And I would note that the energy efficient cold
water detergents clean well but depend on the dryer for
the sanitation that heat can add. The natural UV from the
sun is also excluded (no one has an outdoor cloth line).
IMO too many folk toss damp towels in a lump in a hamper
with dirty socks and let them "ferment" for a week before getting
laundered. They wear out quickly and are less likely to
be "sanitary" even after the laundry.
As for using a towel for a week -- sure. If you are relentless
about hanging it out to dry in a well ventilated place. Still,
a fresh towel for each shave is a better idea.
Summary: Sanitation is a good idea.
"There will not be a lot of shaving specific information on this. It is my personal opinion based on my Dads guidance years ago when I first started shaving. My Dad made the point that shaving required sanitary practices like surgery. He did encounter problems in the Pacific Islands during WW2 where sanitation took a second place to self protection."
Thanks, I'll do that search. While I don't have to worry about cross contamination, it would be safer and -- it might just add to the enjoyment.
My brush is new so I wouldn't worry about it
The towel must be the culprit here! I use the same towel to wipe off my blade and I rarely wash it. :gaah:
I don't know about that either. I use a shave towel and to tell you the truth I use the same one for a couple weeks before I wash it. I make sure its rinsed real good and make sure it dries completely within a couple of hours and I've never had issues. If your towel stays wet a long time that could be another thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by gull
Vinegar is an interesting agent. I was once told thatQuote:
Originally Posted by adamwilson
it does not kill bugs but rather causes bacteria to release
from the surface of food so they can be washed off. One
knowledgeable person remarked that most poultry problems
could be eliminated by a vinegar wash so salmonella from
a nicked gut would wash off and minimize the contamination
that stays behind.
As far as I know in the list of household products only bleach will kill bugs.
Salt, vinegar, sugar, peroxide, soap and hot water punish bugs, rinse them
away and and keep them at bay. This is why most canning and pickling
processes involve a HOT step in a boiling water/ live steam or
in a hot pressure cooker.
A professional butcher might add information. There may be different
rules where animals are killed, gutted and skinned that contrast to where
primals are cut.
I see no problem with vinegar as part of a well considered sanitation process. I use it or lemon on cutting boards.
I agree--as long as that sanitization process does not extend to razors. Do not expose your razor to vinegar unless you don't like how shiny your razor is. Vinegar contains dilute acetic acid and will quickly tarnish your blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by niftyshaving
Lynn,Sixgunn,Stubear,were are you ? Help on this before something awful happens to this gentlemans fine blade. Just sayin :fim:
I'd really like living in the brush.
I really think the gentleman should make sure it's clean, even if it is new.
It's an environment that stays moist for at least a few hours every day. Mmm... comfy!
Good point!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightblade
Goodness strong chemicals are not for a razor that is for sure.
Hot water, shave soap and a clean towel are sufficient
for 99 44/100% of us.... Barbicide covers most of the rest.
Any strong magic juice to sanitize a blade needs to
be followed by a good flush, dry and then light oil to
keep it shining.
Vinegar and bleach are fine and necessary for the butcher shop.
and no long soaks in the Barbicide.it will corrode the handle.Short soaks 5 min would do it .It's for killin germs after all just wash and dry thoroughly.A chamois cloth is excellent for this. and some camellia oil on the blade.That's what they use at SRD. one drop goes a long way .:o