Skin fade warning over ringworm caught at barbers

Christian Reynolds, 22, from Bournemouth, got an infection after getting a skin fade at his local barber.

“Almost immediately after I came out and met up with my partner she noticed this abrasion and raised mark at the back of my neck,” he said.

He described it as “itchy” and “irritable” and after speaking with his pharmacy he found out that it was ringworm.

“I felt annoyed because after doing research on it I realised it was due to improper practice and not cleaning equipment properly,” Mr Reynolds said.

He added that he felt “let down” by the barbershop.

James Davis is a newly qualified barber from Poole and said cleanliness in the industry was “so important”.

The 21-year-old said he caught ringworm after a haircut in April.

He said he managed to stop it early and got treatment to prevent it from spreading.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about sanitary stuff but it’s quite a big factor in where I get my haircut,” he said.

According to the NHS ringworm is a common fungal infection that can be treated with anti-fungal creams but if left untreated can lead to hair loss.

It can be passed on through close contact with an infected person or infected objects, such as bedsheets, combs or towels.