Toothbrushes, nail clippers and razors ??

[sandrooney]

My Nurse Connector mentioned that after my 4th week that I should toss these items.
I am a little concerned that I should have been using a new one everyday the first 4 weeks ? My Doctor or Nurse Practitioner never mentioned this.
Anybody else do this ?
Thanks for the help.
SR

[gnatcatcher]

SR, I continued to use the same old toothbrushes, nail clippers, and razor until my very last day of taking Harvoni. (I was already undetected after 4 weeks of treatment.) Anything metal I sterilized on that last day. Such steps are probably unnecessary, except that they do let people feel safer. There's more information in these threads:
https://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=4537.0
https://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=4708.0

[sandrooney]

Thanks gnatcatcher and thanks for the links. This all helps a lot. I will get my first VL blood work next week after 4 weeks of treatment, Can't wait.
Thanks again,
SR

[gnatcatcher]

SR, I'm looking forward to reading about your progress. Meanwhile, hope you can keep busy doing things you enjoy, so the time passes more quickly.
Gnatty

[sandrooney]

That's what I am trying to do. I am picking up my grandson's today and we are spending the weekend at the Supercross races. They will be spending a month with us, so should help pass the time. I am retiring in October so that coupled with the excitement of the treatment is really making the time drag.
Thanks a lot,
SR

[andrew j]

I only shave every third day - and kept my disposable razor in a small container of bleach - or sometimes disinfectant, in between times.

I only sluiced my toothbrush once or twice.
I figured my gums weren't bleeding, so it'd be OK.

I only gave my nail clippers a bit of a wipe here and there.

Despite appearances - I really was trying to be careful?!!

[Jorah]

I don't understand the nail clippers...can nails carry the virus? I never bleed while cutting my nails.

I know someone that sterilizes his stuff by steaming them in a steamer basket that fits in a pot...our bleach is also now concentrated ..so I don't think the hep virus can survive in there...at least that is what clorox says, but bleach loses its antibacterial power after some time.

[andrew j]

Yes.

... Some people chew their nails down.
Maybe that's it?

[Gaj]

I think the nail clippers risk is due to people trimming their cuticles, etc. with them.

But please be aware that sterilisation by boiling or steaming at home is not an effective method against HCV as the temp will only reach around 100°C. While it is true that medical facilities appear to do similar, they use an autoclave which will reach the temps of greater than 136°C needed to kill HCV.

Household bleach is effective but usually purchased concentrated (4-5% Sodium Hypochlorite) and should be diluted 10:1 with COLD water before use.

[gnatcatcher]

I think the nail clippers risk is due to people trimming their cuticles, etc. with them.
. . .

Yes, cuticles and hangnails. I often bled while cutting those. Jorah, you're much better at nail clipping than I am.

[Jorah]

Didn't know about the steamer thing, thanks.  Why does the bleach have to be diluted in cold water, you would think that full strength bleach would do a better job? 

I think the nail clippers risk is due to people trimming their cuticles, etc. with them.

But please be aware that sterilisation by boiling or steaming at home is not an effective method against HCV as the temp will only reach around 100°C. While it is true that medical facilities appear to do similar, they use an autoclave which will reach the temps of greater than 136°C needed to kill HCV.

Household bleach is effective but usually purchased concentrated (4-5% Sodium Hypochlorite) and should be diluted 10:1 with COLD water before use.

[Jorah]

Go to a Spa...or maybe not... those nail spas that let you soak your feet in warm water can be a dangerous place huh? They're all over the place here, each block has several ones.

Yes, cuticles and hangnails. I often bled while cutting those. Jorah, you're much better at nail clipping than I am.

[Lynn K]

I did not change any personal hygiene items while I was on treatment or perform any special procedures. I still 3 years post have the same fingernail clippers. I only changed my toothbrush at the normal time per the dentist. No bleaching of anything.

Still cured now 2 years post treatment last May

As far as a spa never been to one myself but I am sure they have procedures they must follow per their license requirements.

[Gaj]

Didn't know about the steamer thing, thanks.  Why does the bleach have to be diluted in cold water, you would think that full strength bleach would do a better job?

Hi Jorah, warm/hot water will cause the active ingredients of bleach to break down quicker so always use cold and replace daily. Good question about why we dilute it, I'd just followed instructions previously so had to ask Dr. Google.  Apparently, apart from the safety aspect, when you combine bleach with water it forms hypochlorous acid which is an oxydiser and contributes to the sterilisation process.

To be honest, from my research the risk of reinfection from these sort of sources seems to be very, very small but having said that, for my own peace of mind I did sterilise all these sort of items on the last day of treatment.

[Johnny_Wayne]

I relapsed my first go around, so the second time I got treated I went nuts about changing toothbrushes, razors, ointments etc. On toothbrushes, I went to the dollar store and bought new packs of 6 toothbrushes each so as to have a new toothbrush each and every day. (I do have bleeding gums). Likewise I purchased the cheap twin blade packs of razors so as to have a fresh razor every day. Likewise I threw out everything that could have ever possibly been in contact with Hep C. (Ointments, creams, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, nasal spray, eye drops....everything. Those items I replaced once per month if they had been used at all. Was this gross overkill? Maybe.. But as a person with F4 cirrhosis I was already one of the hardest patients to cure, so I decided to take absolutely NO RISK that could be eliminated. Today, after two years of treatment, relapse, insurance battles, lawyers, retreatment, etc, I am (Thank God) finally cured, and I don't regret the extra expense one bit.

[gnatcatcher]

BIG congratulations on the SVR24!

[Johnny_Wayne]

Thank you! It sure is nice to wake up each day and realize I am no longer actively (and rapidly) dying. What a blessing indeed.

[Jorah]

Thanks Gaj, I'm going to watch this anyways. I bought cheap razors and brushes, I just didn't want to toss my oral b brushes that are not cheap. The nail clippers I can dunk in clorox and boil the hell out of them. The nurse said as long as I'm taking the pill, she doubts I can reinfect myself..more like when tx is over....

Hi Jorah, warm/hot water will cause the active ingredients of bleach to break down quicker so always use cold and replace daily. Good question about why we dilute it, I'd just followed instructions previously so had to ask Dr. Google.  Apparently, apart from the safety aspect, when you combine bleach with water it forms hypochlorous acid which is an oxydiser and contributes to the sterilisation process.

To be honest, from my research the risk of reinfection from these sort of sources seems to be very, very small but having said that, for my own peace of mind I did sterilise all these sort of items on the last day of treatment.

[Jorah]

Thanks for sharing congratulations !!!

Thank you! It sure is nice to wake up each day and realize I am no longer actively (and rapidly) dying. What a blessing indeed.

[Jorah]

Saw the hepatologist today, said you can't reinfect yourself while on treatment, with your own toothbrushes and razors.