Salon EcologyIn this chapter you will be learning
about:
Microbiology
Infection Control
First Aid and Safety
Microbiology• The study of small living organisms called
microbes, such as bacteria.
• Because infectious bacteria and viruses are easily transmitted from person to person, it is important that a professional cosmetologist, coming in contact with many people on a daily basis, understands particular aspects of microbiology.
Bacteria• Bacteria - One-celled microorganisms; germs;
microbes.
• The study of bacteria is referred to asbacteriology.
• Germ – is a non-scientific name for small organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that invade the body and cause disease.
NONPATHOGENIC• Nonpathogenic - Harmless, non-disease producing bacteria• Cause decay of refuse, improve fertility of soil• Can be beneficial (ex. Yogurt has health enhancing bacteria.)• Saprophytes – live on dead matter do not produce disease.• 70% of all bacteria are nonpathogenic
PATHOGENIC• Pathogenic bacteria - Live everywhere
• Cause of infection and disease and some produce toxins.
• Spread easily
– In salon by using unsanitary styling
implements
– Or dirty hands and fingernails
• Have distinct shapes that aid in their microscopic identification.
Example of Pathogenic Bacterial Infection
Wound Infection is caused by multiplying
pathogenic bacteria which cause a reaction in the
patient. Infection can be systemic, causing the
patient to become ill, or local only affecting the
wound bed and surrounding tissues.
Pathogenic Bacteria• Cocci
– Round - shaped cells
– Appear singularly or in groups
– There are 3 groups of Cocci
• Staphlococci– Forms a bunch or clusters
(like grapes)
– Pus – forming
– Found in boils
– Cause of staph infection
• Streptoccocci
– Form in long chains
– Pus – forming
– Cause strep throat, blood
poisoning, rheumatic fever and more.
• Diplococci
– Round and grow in pairs
– Diplo means two.
– Cause pneumonia
• Bacilli
– Most common
– Bar or Rod – shaped
– Cause fever, tetanus, bacterial
influenza, typhoid fever, tuberculosis
and diphtheria.
• Spirilla
– Spiraled, corkscrew shape
– Cause syphilis and cholera
– Treponema pallidah
(a stain of Spirilla) that causes
syphilis
Growth of Bacteria• It is very important to keep areas clean,
dry and unfavorable for bacterial growth!
• Bacteria grow best in warm, dampconditions.
• Bacteria grow through a growth cycle that consists of two stages:– Active
– Inactive
Active Bacteria• Reproduce and Grow Rapidly
• Grow in dark,damp,dirty areas where a food source is available.
• Grow in size and divide creating two cells.
• As much as16 million cells can produce in aslittle as 12 hours
Inactive Bacteria
• Conditions unfavorable = No Growth
• Form spores not hurt by disinfection, cold or heat.
• Conditions good – they return to active stage.
Movement of Bacteria• Bacilli and Spirilla have flagella (cilia)
– Hair-like projections which extend from the
sides of the cell.
• Act as propellers to help bacteria travel through air and liquids.
• Without this, movement of bacteria would be limited.
Viruses• Smaller than bacteria; cause familiar
diseases: Cold, Measles, Hepatitis, HIV
• HBV – Human Hepatitis B; affects liver; may need vaccine; (PSW – personal service worker)
• HIV – AIDS; affects natural immunity of body fluids into bloodstream of non-infected.
• Cosmetologist are licensed to prevent the unnecessary spread of infectious diseases, such as HBV and HIV.
External Parasites• Parasites - Plants or animals that live on or
obtain their nutrients from another organism.
• Ringworm (tinea capitis)
– Produced by parasitic plant or fungi
• Contracted by improperly disinfected implements.
Continue External Parasites• Scabies, Itch Mite, Head Lice
– Caused by parasitic animals
• Certain insects that cause contagious disease.
– Head Lice
• Transmitted directly from one person to another, or
by contact with articles that have come in contact with an infested person.
• Symptoms: scratching, redness, or small bite marks on the scalp.
• Treat by using a pediculicide (lice-killing) shampoo.
Responding Instead of Reacting
• Responding to a situation means to deal with the situation in a calm mature manner. Solve the problem.
• Reacting to a situation is when a person reacts first and thinks later. When we do this we may not say and do the right thing. We could end up making the situation worse.
• Have empathy and be a professional.
– Put yourself in the other persons shoes.
Infection• Infection - Caused by pathogenic bacteria or
viruses; entering the body and multiplying.
– Contagious (communicable) – Can transmit through
touch or the air.
– Bloodborn pathogens – carried through blood or body fluids.
– Primary reason behind additional infection control
procedures.
• Common means of spreading infection in a salon:
– Open sores
– Unclean hands and implements
– Coughing or sneezing
– Common use of drinking cups and towels
– Use of same implements on infected areas and
non-infected areas
– Unsanitary salon conditions
Universal Precautions• Wash Hands
• Wear gloves whenever there is a possibility of coming in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (body fluids and tissues)
• Wear face masks and eye protection whenever there is a possibility of blood splashing into the rescuer's face
• Dispose of all contaminated sharp objects in an appropriate puncture-proof container
• Dispose of all contaminated personal protective equipment in an appropriate container marked for bio-hazardous waste
• Local Infection – Effects a small area– Often indicated by a pus-filled boil,
pimple or inflamed area.
• General Infection (systemic) –Effects the whole body– Occurs when the circulatory system
carries bacteria and their toxins to all parts of the body.
• Asymptomatic – Carries disease –SHOWS NO SIGNS!! That’s why we have Universal Precautions! – Ex. – A person can have HIV and
show no visible signs.
Two Basic Classes of InfectionLocal Infection
General Infection
Staph infection that is spreading
Immunity• Your body can destroy an infection that enters
the body, if you are immune to that particular infection.
• Immunity gives your body the ammunition to fight disease.
• Doctors can test the white blood cell count as a way to determine the level of illness suffered by a patient.
Natural Immunity• Partially inherited, natural resistance to
disease.
• Body produces white blood cells and antitoxins to fight disease
• Skin protects body from microbes– 1st line of defense!
Acquired Immunity
• Acquired
– Developed through
the injection of
antigens
– Stimulate the
body’s immune
response
– Ex: Polio vaccine
Infection Control• Infection Control – Efforts to prevent the spread
of disease and kill certain or all microbes.– Efficacy = effectiveness
• Efficacy- “ability to produce results” or “effectiveness”
• Efficacy labels are on all disinfectants to inform the user about what the product is “effective in fighting against”.
• Understanding how to destroy microbes and prevent disease from spreading in the salon will help protect professional cosmetologists and their clients from the unnecessary spread of infectious diseases and maintain a safe, efficient working environment.
Infection Control Pyramid• Sterilization: the most effective level of infection control.
– Used on tools and implements that are used to puncture or invade the skin.
– Kills – all infectious diseases.
– Destroys or kills all microbes including bacterial spores.
Sterilizers Sterilized Implements
• Bloodborn Pathogen Disinfection: Must use anEPA-registered broad spectrum disinfectant labeled as effective against HIV and HBV or tuberculocidal.
– Required for all tools and
implements that have come
in contact with blood or
body fluids.
– Kills: HIV and HBV or
Tuberculocidal
• Disinfection: chemical products used to destroy or kill bacteria and some viruses (except bacterial spores).– Kills - Certain bacteria
– On nonporous surfaces, such as implements.
Antiseptic: Product applied to the skin
to reduce microbes.
Clean surface on which to perform procedures and you have helped to
prevent the future growth of microbes.
Prevents - Growth of bacteria
Ex. Numbing cream with antiseptic to apply before waxing.
• Sanitation: Clean and reduce microbes on the
surface, but do not kill germs.
– Removes - Dirt and debris
– 1st level of infection control
– Prevents the growth of microbes.
– Does not kill bacteria (Removes, but does not kill)
Infection Control Pyramid
Sterilization
Bloodborn Pathogen
Disinfection
Disinfection
Antiseptic
Sanitation
Liquid Soap vs. Bar SoapLiquid Soap
In closed bottle
Not exposed to microbes
Bar SoapLeft out wet
Exposed to microbes
Perfect environment for bacterial growth
Disinfectant Safety
• Disinfectants are powerful,
professional-strength tools
that can be hazardous if
used incorrectly.
• Can be poisonous if
ingested.
• Can cause serious skin
and eye damage,
especially in a
concentrated form.
Follow these guidelines when using
Hospital Grade Disinfectants:
• Wear gloves and safety glasses when mixing chemicals with water.
• Always add disinfectant to water, not water to disinfectant.
• Use tongs, gloves, or a draining
basket to remove implements
from disinfectant.
• Keep disinfectants away from
children.
• Never pour disinfectants on
your hands. Can cause skin
irritation and increase the
chance of infection. Wash
hands with soap and warm
water and dry them thoroughly.
• Carefully weigh and measure all products to ensure that they perform at peak efficiency.
• Always keep disinfectants in a marked container.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for mixing and using, and check the efficacy to make sure you are using the right disinfectant.
• Avoid overexposure. Disinfectants are chemicals, and overuse id detrimental to the environment.
• When using jars or containers to disinfect implements be sure to change the solution every day.
• Or, as often as needed to keep free from debris.
• Implements should be cleaned with soap and water before placing in solution.
OSHA• Department of Labor regulatory agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Regulates and enforces safety and health standards to protect employees in the workplace.
MSDS• Key info on product ingredients.
• Material Safety Data Sheets
– Information about hazardous
ingredients, safe use and handling
procedures, precautions to reduce
the risk of harm and overexposure,
flammability and data in case of a
fire, proper disposal guidelines, and
medical information should anyone
have a reaction to the product.
EPA• Approves efficacy of products.
• Environmental Protection Agency
– The EPA licenses different types of
disinfectants.
– The type used in the salon are hospital grade
disinfectants that kill HBV, HIV and
tuberculocidal.
First Aid
Accidents and emergencies happen
everywhere. Basic knowledge of first aid will prove invaluable.
Bleeding and Wounds• Step 1 – Place clean cloth or
gauze and gloved hand over wound. Apply firm pressure for 5 minutes.
• Step 2 – Call 9-1-1 (if bleeding is severe)
• Step 3 – Elevate injured arm or leg above level of victims heart if practical.
• Step 4 – When bleeding stops,secure cloth with a bandage –Don’t lift cloth to see if bleeding stopped. Make sure that bandage is not too tight.
Chemical Burns1. Rinse away all traces of chemicals while
moving away any contaminated clothing.
2. Cover burn loosely with clean, dry cloth.
3. Refer person to medical personnel.
Heat or Electrical Burn1. If skin is not broken, immerse in cool
water or gently apply cool compress.
2. Do NOT break a blister if one forms. Do NOT apply ointments or creams.
3. If skin is broken or if burn is severe:
• Call 9-1-1
• Do NOT clean
• Cover burn
1st Degree Burns• First Degree
• Symptom is redness
• Burn only effects the surface, the epidermis layer
of the skin.
• Apply ice or cold water.
2nd Degree Burns
– Second Degree
• Symptom is redness and watery blisters.
• Burn effects the two upper most layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis).
• Apply ice or cold water and may refer to a physician.
3rd Degree Burns– Third Degree
• Symptom involves deeper structures of flesh and
possible charring of tissue.
• Burn effects all 3 main layers of the skin
(epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous) and may even reach the muscle.
• Refer to a physician immediately!
ChokingStep 1 – Determine if victim can talk or
cough. If no, have someone call 9-1-1, while you do abdominal thrusts.
Step 2 – Stand behind victim; wrap arms around his/her stomach.
Step 3 – Make thumbless fist with one hand and place that fist just above navel and well below the ribs with thumb andforefinger side toward the victim.
Step 4 – Perform upward thrust by grasping fist with other hand and pulling it quickly toward you; repeat if necessary.
Fainting• Step 1 – lay victim down on
back – allow plenty of fresh air.
• Step 2 – Reassure victim and apply cold compress to face
• Step 3 – If victim vomits, roll onto side, keep windpipe clear.
• Call 9-1-1 if victim does notregain consciousness.
Chemical Eye Injury• Hold eyelids apart – flush
eyeball with luke warm water for 15 – 30 minutes; don’t let runoff flow into the other eye.
• Place gauze pad or cloth over both eyes and secure with bandage.
• Get to an eye specialist or emergency room immediately.
Cut, Scratch or Embedded Object in Eye
• Place gauze pad or cloth over both eyes and secure with a bandage.
• Do NOT try to remove an embedded object!
• Get to an eye specialist or emergency room immediately.