Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery.  Hemophilia is caused by a mutation, or change, in one of the genes that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This change or mutation can prevent the clotting protein from working properly or could be missing altogether.

Hemophilia can result in:

• Bleeding within joints that can lead to chronic joint disease and pain
• Bleeding in the head and sometimes in the brain which can cause long term problems, such as seizures and paralysis
• Death can occur if the bleeding cannot be stopped [i]

As personal care service workers, we have to be extra careful when working with a hemophiliac.  A simple bump or bruise could be a life-threatening situation for them. 

Hair braiders should avoid aggressive pulling on the scalp.  Nail technicians must use extra caution when working with “thin skin” such as cuticles.  Waxing, tweezing or facial extractions are all ill-advised.  Any personal service that could significant cause pressure on the skin (thus underlying blood vessels) should be avoided.  It is always best to seek approval and/or direction for services from a medical physician regarding medical conditions.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

[i] National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “Hemophilia.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Mar. 2017, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/facts.html.