Hair Can Be Dangerous to Health

Abstract

To the Editor.— The answer given by Charles W. Macenski (232:849, 1975) concerning covering of hair is irresponsible. Long loose tresses that dangle onto an aseptic field or that are clutched by an infant's hand are a means for spread of contagion by contact. Habitual grooming motions to remove offending hair from the face or to accentuate a hair style make hair a direct extension of the dirty hand. An anecdote is pertinent and more eloquent than microbiologic data. The patient had partial large bowel obstruction, resulting from a large tumor of the rectum. He was lying in the lateral Sims position. Rectal examination was demonstrated to a student, who then leaned over the patient in imitation. Long hair dangled on the patient's buttocks. As the gloved finger was withdrawn, a gush of feces soiled the glove. The student recoiled, stood erect, and reflexly wiped the hair from his face