Eyebrow Waxing Can Spread Herpes

Some women consider the 10 minutes spent on monthly eyebrow waxes critical to a polished, clean and professional look. But eyebrow waxing can spread a form of herpes and lead to blindness, WCVB in Boston reported.“Every month I usually get my hair, eyebrows, nails,” said Candice Earp.Cosmetologist Tiffani Conner said, “It opens their eyes, they feel more beautiful. It’s kind of an extra touch up. You don’t feel as beautiful without the brows done.”But there can be consequences.“The biggest concern right now are the different diseases that are spread from re-dipping the stick, more specifically the eye herpes,” said Sherry Lewelling with the Oklahoma board of cosmetology.Oklahoma’s board is trying to get the word out about an increase of eye herpes cases in surrounding Midwest states that have been directly linked to eyebrow waxing and poor sanitary practices.One concerning practice, said Lewelling, is when someone has a “cold sore on the lip, they get a lip wax, the technician puts the stick back into the wax, then the wax is contaminated.”The herpes virus could easily be transmitted to the next person or people to be treated using that same warmed wax.Professionals say there are simple sanitary measures that aestheticians can take to prevent the spread of herpes. Technicians should wash their hands and test the temperature of the wax before each procedure.Also, every time a stick is dipped into the wax and placed on a client’s skin, it should be thrown away.If asked to lie down for a waxing treatment, be sure that the table is covered with a single-use sheet of paper or sanitized each time.Experts also recommend only seeing professionals who have been licensed by the state.According to recent information in the Digital Journal of Opthalmology, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, there are approximately 500,000 cases of ocular herpes each year in the U.S. While most cases can be treated, there is no cure and severe cases can also lead to blindness.Symptoms of ocular herpes include tearing, redness, blurry vision, eye discomfort and sometimes a thick, sticky mucous secretion.

Source: KCRA

Genital Herpes: Some Common Myths

Let’s dispel some common myths about genital herpes, and spread the news about prevention
It’s probably not something you discuss with your friends, but you almost certainly know several people who are infected with genital herpes. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 45 million people ages 12 and older have this very common sexually transmitted disease. That equates to about one in five adolescents and adults.

Surprisingly, most of them may not even know they have genital herpes because they either have very mild symptoms or they mistake the symptoms – such as painful urination in women – for another condition such as a yeast infection.

The good news is that by taking some simple precautions including being cautious of over-grooming and using a new liquid cream barrier called Amari in addition to a condom, you can help to protect yourself and/or your partner from getting this virus.

What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which can invade the body through a crack in the skin or through the mucosa of the mouth or genital areas. Signs of a HSV-2 infection are usually one or more blisters on or around the rectum or genitals. When the blisters eventually break, they leave tender ulcers or sores. Those can take two to four weeks to heal after the first breakout. Typically future breakouts will be less severe and have a shorter healing time.

Although there is no known cure and the genital herpes infection stays in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease with time. But even though someone may not have had an outbreak in a long time, the virus is still very contagious and can still be passed onto their sexual partners.

Did you know?

Any weakness in the skin provides the potential for a virus to enter the blood stream.
Shaving and waxing can cause microscopic tears and scrapes in your skin around the genital area that provides an ideal entry point for viruses.
Anti-viral medications and condoms are approximately 30-50 percent effective in protection against STD viruses such as genital herpes.
If you have genital herpes, you can spread the disease even if you are not having symptoms and even if you have never had an outbreak.
People infected with herpes can be contagious 3-5 days before a breakout.
Having genital herpes can make you two to five times more susceptible to HIV infection if you are exposed to the virus during a sexual encounter.
Condoms do not fully protect you against HPV-2 because the viruse can infect areas not covered by the condom.
Even if you are not having a herpes outbreak, you may still “shed” the virus.

How can you protect yourself and your partner?

Nothing besides abstinence can ever guarantee 100 percent effectiveness against spreading genital herpes. People who carry this virus can spread the infection both when they are having an outbreak and also when they have no symptoms. That’s why it’s important to avoid sex when the signs of herpes are present, and to use a condom even between outbreaks. Condoms act as a physical barrier against the spread of the virus, but remember they are only about 30 percent effective.

To enhance that effectiveness, there is a new liquid cream barrier called Amari Cream (www.amaricream.com). In laboratory studies, the cream was shown to be 97 percent effective in containing herpes when used with a condom.

Think twice about excessive grooming in the pubic and genital areas because it can cause micro cuts and abrasions, which are hot beds and entry points for HPV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Because such a high number of people are unaware that they are infected with genital herpes, ask your doctor if you should get a blood test to determine if you have the HSV-2 virus. A long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected is one of the best ways to remain disease-free.

Jackson Estate Sued over ‘Herpes Cure’

A man is suing Michael Jackson’s estate, claiming the singer is responsible for the theft of his herpes cure.

Erle Bonner claims Jackson gave his formulas for “herpes cure, acne cures and arthritis cures” to a guy named Kevin Trudeau, also a defendant, who allegedly pilfered them.

Bonner also claims …”someone from the Jackson family came by my house and shot a 22 pistol in the air. They turned around in a neighbor’s driveway and drove away.”

Bonner also claims in his suit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court … Jackson stole nine copyrights and the idea for an automobile insurance policy

that “would revolutionize insurance for cars in America.”

There’s more, but you get the point.