Brits were today warned of the key signs of a dirty barber shop amid a surge in young men catching ringworm from haircuts.
Cases of the contagious skin fungus that can cause disfigurement have jumped significantly in just a handful of months, some barbers have claimed.
They believe this is due to more men opting for popular skin fade haircuts — when the sides are shaved short, and length is left on top — at ‘cheap, dirty, unqualified’ shops ‘littering the high streets’.
Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, despite its name ringworm is not caused by a worm.
Instead, it is being spread via poorly sanitised combs or towels, barbers say. In severe cases it can even lead to permanent scarring and hair loss.
Now, experts have warned Brits of the five signs that indicate their barber may not be as hygienic as they first believed.
In a TikTok video seen over 58,000 times, Mississippi based licensed professional barber Thomas White, said: ‘Did they wash or sanitise their hands before your haircut?
‘I know a lot of barbers like to wear gloves, but even wearing gloves hair can easily be transferred from person to person because loose hair sticks to the gloves.
Cases of the contagious skin fungus that can disfigure have jumped significantly in just a handful of months, they claim. Pictured, a 2022 case in Australia of a boy who contracted ringworm after visiting the barber
Barbers believe this is due to more men opting for skin fade haircuts. Pictured, a 2022 case in Australia of a boy who contracted ringworm after visiting the barber
In a TikTok video seen over 58,000 times, Mississippi based licensed professional barber Thomas White, said: ‘Did they wash or sanitize their hands before your haircut?’
‘Barbers may not be changing into a fresh pair of gloves with every hair cut.’
A lack of cleaning products visible in the salon may equally suggest grooming tools such as combs and hair-cutting shears are not being disinfected between clients.
One popular product called Barbicide takes just 15 minutes to rid illness-causing bugs that are embedded in dirty tools like clipper guards and scissors.
‘It should be a tall, cylinder jar with blue liquid’, Mr White said.
‘The liquid is a hospital grade disinfectant that kills bacteria and viruses.’
He added: ‘Did they also disinfect their clippers?
‘You should see some sort of aerosol disinfectant being sprayed, or maybe they dipped the blades into a solution.’
Opting for fresh blades for each client and cleaning the barber chair — specifically the headrest — are among the other two key signs, Mr White said.
One popular product Barbicide, takes just 15 minutes to rid illness-causing bugs that are embedded in dirty tools like clipper guards and scissors
Other TikTok barber accounts have shared images of similar cleaning products professionals should use to ensure their equipment is clean between each client
Using plastic disposable head rest covers can also prevent the spread of infection.
According to the British Master Barbers Alliance, a voluntary organisation, barbers should always follow the ‘one man, one blade’ rule.
‘It is so important to always use one blade per client regardless of how much or how little you use the blade. Always discard the finished blade after use,’ the association advises.
‘You must always dispose of your blades in a properly labelled sharps box and disinfect the razor after use.’
Dr Noman Mohamed, a London-based expert in cosmetic dermatology, also urged his 410,000 TikTok followers to ensure their barber ‘washes their hands’ before cutting hair and ‘disinfects his equipment’.
Following the haircut, he also advised viewers ‘use an anti-dandruff shampoo immeditely afterwards’ to help prevent ringworm.
Cases of ringworm are usually treated with antifungal medications available on prescription such as gels and creams.
But sometimes oral antifungal medication is needed as well.
According to the British Master Barbers Alliance, a voluntary organisation, barbers should always follow the ‘one man, one blade’ rule
Pictured, illustration of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the cause of scalp ringworm
Common signs of the fungal infection include itchiness, a scaly ring-shaped area, scattering of bumps which range in colour from red on white skin to reddish, brown or grey on black skin.
Slightly raised expanding rings or a round flat patch of itchy skin are other key signs, according to the NHS.
Dr James O’Donovan, an NHS medic and technical advisory group member at the World Health Organization, also advises people to avoid sharing ‘combs, hats, hairbrushes, towels and pillowcases with other people’.
This is ‘because fungus can live for a long period of time’, he said.
If a child is affected, it is vital school teachers and parents of classmates are made aware, he added.
‘Other family members should be examined by a doctor and treated.
‘Sometimes it’s best for the whole family to be treated with a medicated antifungal shampoo twice weekly for four weeks, whether or not a fungal infection is proven.’
Industry experts have long called for a mandatory hairdresser and barber register to ensure Brits are only being seen by qualified professionals.
Barber Mike Taylor, who last week sounded the alarm on the concerning rise in ringworm cases, has also shared images of clients affected by the condition
But the Government has said it still had ‘no plans to regulate the hairdressing sector’.
Last week, a government spokesperson said: ‘We have no plans to regulate the hairdressing sector.
‘However we will always seriously consider evidence when it’s provided.
‘We work closely with the industry to address skills and training needs, and HMRC is also working to tackle tax fraud in the sector.’
