Skin Peeling Concerns: Is It Safe to Wash Hands Normally?
Please provide the content you would like me to translate? Hello Doctor, I consulted you yesterday about the disinfectant issue. The dermatologist said that the skin on my hand will heal gradually, but I forgot to ask this morning if the peeling is considered a minor wound. The d...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Try to use milder, non-irritating soaps to reduce skin irritation. 2. Peeling skin does not lead to infections and does not cause COVID-19 infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Skin Peeling Concerns: Is It Safe to Wash Hands Normally?
Understanding Toe Issues: Concerns About Infections and Treatment
Toe problems (continued inquiry) Thank you for your response, Doctor. Regarding the first question, I still have some concerns I would like to ask. I recently took some leftover cold medication from last week when I had a cold and visited an ENT specialist. The medication contain...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The black spots you described are likely the openings of hair follicles, which is a normal structure. 2. The so-called immune-mediated arthritis mostly affects multiple joints, with the highest likelihood of a single joint being involved in gout. However, your sympto...[Read More] Understanding Toe Issues: Concerns About Infections and Treatment
Understanding Infection Risks from Hair Clippers: What Parents Should Know
Infection risk Taking a child for a haircut, I discovered at home that the hair clippers had accidentally cut the ear, causing it to bleed. After cleaning the wound, I noticed it was about 0.4 centimeters long. I can't help but worry about the risk of infection, such as hepa...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, sharing these utensils does indeed carry some risks, but the probability of a single infection is very low. Typically, the risk of infection increases with prolonged sharing. Based on your description, the chance of infection should be very low unless you experience any di...[Read More] Understanding Infection Risks from Hair Clippers: What Parents Should Know
Accidental Use of Disinfectant: Skin Reactions and Health Concerns
Misuse of disinfectant? Hello Doctor, I didn't realize that my brother replaced our original Muji hand soap with something else, as it looks yellowish. Given the current pandemic, I've been washing my hands frequently. Tonight, I noticed some peeling around the joints o...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, according to the labeling, this is indeed a commonly used disinfectant in general hospitals that can be used for body or hand cleaning. It has low skin irritancy, so it should not have any significant effects on your body. Please do not worry. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Accidental Use of Disinfectant: Skin Reactions and Health Concerns
Can Using Shared Nail Clippers Lead to Hepatitis B Infection?
Will cutting my nails too deep with a nail clipper cause a hepatitis B infection? Hello Doctor: I am 22 years old, and it has been almost ten years since I received the hepatitis B vaccine in middle school. According to information online, the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vac...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Whether you still have antibodies for Hepatitis B can vary depending on individual physiology, so a blood test is necessary to determine this. However, it is usually assessed based on your occupation and whether you frequently come into contact with Hepatitis B patien...[Read More] Can Using Shared Nail Clippers Lead to Hepatitis B Infection?
Understanding HIV Infection Risks in Everyday Situations
HIV infection Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask about using a sit-down toilet in a public restroom. Before having a bowel movement, I forgot to check if the previous user had flushed the toilet, and when I used it, water splashed onto my anal area. Is there a possibility of infe...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the three situations you described are not routes of HIV infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks in Everyday Situations
Can You Get STDs or Other Infections from Toilet Water?
Infectious disease issues If a foot without any wounds accidentally steps into a toilet and is submerged in toilet water, but there are no feces present (as they have already been flushed away), is there a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other infect...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if there is no trauma, there should not be any infection issues. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Can You Get STDs or Other Infections from Toilet Water?
Can You Catch Infections from Public Baths? Understanding Risks and Precautions
Is the disease contagious? Hello, today I had to take a shower outside because the pressure valve in my home bathroom broke and there was no plumber available. I went with my family to a hot spring place. My left big toe doesn't have any bleeding wounds, but I felt pain in t...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, the chance of contracting a sexually transmitted infection through a small wound is very low, so you don't need to worry. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Can You Catch Infections from Public Baths? Understanding Risks and Precautions
Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Can I Contract HIV from Betadine?
Risk of HIV Infection Hello! I would like to ask, when changing medication for a patient with HIV, even though gloves were worn, I noticed iodine stains on my hands after removing the gloves. I am unsure if there are any small open wounds on my hands. Can the virus be transmitted...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, viruses do not infect through povidone-iodine. If you do not see any obvious wounds on your hands, you should not be at risk of infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Can I Contract HIV from Betadine?
Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
HIV infection Hello Doctor: While changing medication for a family member, my finger accidentally touched a cotton swab that had been used to wipe a bleeding wound. Later, I scratched an itch with that same finger, causing a break in the skin and bleeding. If my family member is ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, there is no risk of contracting HIV. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
HIV infection Hello Doctor: While changing medication for a family member, my finger accidentally touched a cotton swab that had been used to wipe a bleeding wound. Later, I scratched an itch with that same finger, causing a break in the skin and bleeding. If my family member is ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, it is unlikely that you have contracted HIV. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
Managing Cellulitis Wounds: When to Apply Medication?
Cellulitis wound Doctor, after being discharged with cellulitis, I was instructed to keep the area dry and take medication. While keeping the wound dry, I noticed a small amount of yellow fluid, but there is no pain or redness. In this situation, do I need to apply any ointment? ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the yellow fluid you mentioned is likely tissue fluid. Based on your description of the wound, it should be sufficient to clean the wound with an antibiotic ointment or povidone-iodine. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Managing Cellulitis Wounds: When to Apply Medication?
Concerns About HIV Infection After Accidental Needle Stick
Concerns about HIV infection? Hello Dr. Hong: On December 23, 2020, at 9:30 AM, I bought sushi from a breakfast shop near my home (the sushi is sourced from an external supplier by this shop). When I opened the sushi box, I accidentally pricked my finger on a staple, causing a sm...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the risk of contracting HIV from a stapler puncture injury is very low. If you are not experiencing any discomfort, it is not necessary to get tested unless you have other symptoms unrelated to the wound. As for your daily life, it will not be af...[Read More] Concerns About HIV Infection After Accidental Needle Stick
Can Scratching a Nail Injury Lead to Infection? Expert Advice
Will it get infected? Hello Doctor, I used my fingernails to scratch at the hard skin growing out from my toenails last night. I slightly tore the skin, and although there was no bleeding, there is a small wound. My fingernail got caught in my toenail, and I'm worried about ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the redness you described is likely a mild inflammation. Whether there is an infection would need to be assessed through a direct examination. For the wound, you can use fusidic acid ointment; however, hydrogen peroxide is not recommended as it can be too irritating to the...[Read More] Can Scratching a Nail Injury Lead to Infection? Expert Advice
Understanding Moles: When to Worry and When to Relax
Hemorrhoid issues? Hello, Doctor. I visited a dermatologist today because I had a small black spot on my chest that was a mole. I showed it to the doctor, and it seemed a bit raised. When I slightly squeezed it, it appeared that there was a pimple nearby, and although it didn...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the photos you provided, they do appear to be moles. Moles are accumulations of melanocytes. Even in adults, new moles can develop unless they suddenly grow large, have an irregular shape, or show any discharge, in which case one should be concerned about melanoma...[Read More] Understanding Moles: When to Worry and When to Relax
Understanding HIV Testing: Common Questions and Concerns
HIV/AIDS? 1. Can a standard blood test determine if someone has HIV, or is a special test required? 2. If both parents are HIV-negative, can their child still contract HIV? (Without any sexual activity...) 3. Is there a risk of contracting HIV from oral sex if ejaculation doe...
Dr. Su Zhehong Reply:
Blood tests are the most definitive method for determining HIV infection, but it is important to specifically request an HIV test. The traditional HIV testing begins with an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). If the initial EIA result is positive, a second test is conducted. If both tests...[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Common Questions and Concerns
Concerns About Infection After Sitting on a Chair with an Umbrella
May I ask the doctor? Hello Dr. Hong, today when I was going to school, I accidentally sat down on a chair where someone had left an umbrella. Although I didn't feel any sharp pain, I'm a bit worried that I might have been exposed to some disease due to the umbrella pos...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, regarding the incident you described about sitting on an umbrella, if there are no visible wounds or bleeding on the surface, it is unlikely to result in an infection. Please do not worry, and thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Concerns About Infection After Sitting on a Chair with an Umbrella
Understanding HIV Transmission Risks in Healthcare Settings
HIV transmission 1. Today, I accidentally stepped on a trash can while a colleague was throwing away garbage from a small trash can. Some trash popped out near my foot, and since I work in a hospital, I'm concerned that there might have been a needle in the small trash can. ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. If it is confirmed that you have been punctured by a needle and it is impossible to determine whether the other person is HIV positive, it should theoretically be treated as having an infection risk. However, if there is no evidence of being punctured, then infection ...[Read More] Understanding HIV Transmission Risks in Healthcare Settings
Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Mucosal Contact and Blood Exposure
Mucosal transmission 1. If vaginal mucosa comes into contact with blood or semen, is there a risk of HIV infection? 2. How long can the HIV virus survive on clothing or masks that have come into contact with blood? If clothing or masks are contaminated with HIV-positive blood, ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, unless there is contact with internal mucous membranes during sexual intercourse, the situations you described do not pose a risk for HIV infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Mucosal Contact and Blood Exposure
Understanding HIV Infection Risks After Caring for a Family Member
HIV infection Doctor, I apologize for the interruption, but I would like to inquire about a situation. If a family member is infected with HIV and has just undergone surgery with fresh sutures, during the process of changing the dressing, my finger accidentally touched the wound....
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the risk of contracting HIV should be very low. Therefore, unless there are specific symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms, there is no need to worry about the possibility of HIV infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks After Caring for a Family Member