Is it possible to get infected with HIV if the barber used alum on my chin?

Hello friends, I went to a barber and he used a new blade. He cut me slightly while shaving. After he finished , he applied some alum( a small white stone-like substance used as a disinfectant). What are my chances of contracting HIV? Please advice me. I am a bit worried. Also, when should I get myself tested so that I could get confirmed results? Please help.

Hello Friends,
what I meant was that .....When the barber used the piece of alum ( a disinfectant ) on my chin, that might have been used on someone else too...Although the blade was new, alum might have been used on someone else too...Please help me.

It really depends on how many people he shaved, if he disinfected the blade before using it again, and if he cut anyone before you with the razor. Germs, pesky little things that they are, usually can't survive out of warm and damp places - and since the HIV virus is a "germ" if he hasn't used that razor during the day it is unlikely you will contract HIV. If he sanatized the razor before using it you won't get HIV (this is what my barber does).


The alum is a disinfectant itself. Have you ever thrown a slug into a bottle of alcohol? The alcohol kills the slut. Alum works the same way ... the alum kills any germs that come into contact with it ...

If as you said he used a fresh blade , you have no worries.