Skin
Conditions/Infections You May Encounter
Workers in the sex
industry will encounter and indeed some may suffer
from a variety of rashes and possibly infectious
problems of the skin.
Despite the
embarrassing appearance of some diseases like
psoriasis and eczema, they are in no way infectious.
Eczema is an itchy
rash especially in the folds of the elbows and behind
the knees. The affected people often also suffer from
asthma and hay fever. Eczema must be distinguished
from scabies (which is contagious) with itchy areas
around the waist, armpits and hands. Itchy bumps on
the penis and scrotum are usually scabies.
Pubic lice (crabs)
also cause itching and red bumps in the pubic area.
They are usually visible and should be checked for
before accepting a client.
Psoriasis causes
dry, itching patches on the elbows, knees and in the
scalp and is non-contagious. It does not itch and is
helped by bathing, oils, and sunshine.
Fungal infections
of the groin usually occur only in men. They are the
same sort of bugs that cause athlete's foot. There is
redness and an angry area in the groin fold extending
out on to the thigh. The fungus is more common in
people who use
communal facilities (showers and pools) but hardly
every occurs in women even if a partner is affected.
Tinea versicolor
is another trivial fungus infection occurring on the
upper chest and shoulders as light brown, slightly
scaly patches.
Bacterial
infections such as school sores, and impetigo are
unusual in adults but can be transmitted by direct
contact especially if the skin is broken. Impetigo is
often on the face.
Herpes Simplex
Virus is caught in the same way and it is important
to avoid sexual contact with any person with
blisters or raw skin areas on the penis or labia.
These infections
are spread by direct contact especially if the skin
is broken and not by towels, fingers or clothing. So
it is important to remember that condoms will prevent
gonorrhea and herpes simplex of the genitals, but not
scabies which are more wide spread over the body.
Is it
possible that HIV, hepatitis B or herpes can be
spread through using spa pools?
There is often
some anxiety about the spread of diseases in spa
pools which are warm, and used by a number of people.
There are regulations about the operation of public
spa pools to ensure public safety. The Department of
Health can provide this information. Sometimes a drop
in chlorine levels can lead to resistant bacteria
multiplying and this can result in what is called
'spa pool folliculitis". Lots of tiny painful
lesions like boils around the trunk occur, however
this is not common. HIV virus has been isolated from
blood, semen, saliva, tears and breast milk. It has
not been found in urine, faeces or contaminated
water. These viruses are killed very quickly by
chlorine and the dilution in a pool makes it
extremely unlikely they could spread via the water.
Sex in spa pools
is not recommended as lubrication can be a problem,
also condoms can come off and block the plumbing -
more trouble..
In summary, skin
infections spread by direct skin to skin contact,
especially if the skin is broken or raw. There is
virtually no danger of infection from towels,
clothing, washing, bathing or toilet seats. There is
also no proof that diseases can spread via massage
Oils, lubricants or talcum powder.
