Review of a hospital shave kit and a lesson learned

[Codfish]

I spent most of last week in Hartford Hospital—ordered there by my doctor for weakness and suspected internal bleeding. On the third and fourth day there, I had a chance to use the shave kit they provided. What follows is a review of the shave kit, and more importantly, something I learned that I’d like to pass on to readers.

The Kit

The hospital’s shave kit included a Bic disposable single-blade razor and a .125 oz. packet of Dawn Mist shave cream, a brushless and non-lathering product of Malaysia. Although I had brought my R41 along, the danger of additional uncontrolled blood loss warranted against its use.

The Shaves

The shave cream seemed very close in texture and scent to the liquid hand soap in my bathroom at home. The fragrance was a mild combination of cocoanut and menthol. I applied it to my still-wet beard after washing my face. It was non-greasy and the 1/8 oz. pack was just enough to cover completely.

I have not used a disposable razor in many years, and found I had to re-learn to use one. Zero pressure did not work, especially given the initial three-day growth. I actually had to apply enough pressure to bend the plastic handle at times. But the light razor and light soap worked well together, and after a two-pass effort, I managed an SAS condition without blood loss. I have used the combination a total of three times so far with similar results. All-in-all, the kit was adequate for the circumstances and my risk of blood loss was minimal.

The Lesson

My four days in the hospital followed a two-week vacation in Maine, which was a wonderful experience except for the sinus headache I developed shortly after getting there. Being several hours from home, I managed my symptoms with Claritin-D and Aleve. When the sinus condition showed signs of infection, I drew from a relative’s prescription of Amoxicillin, which I had always tolerated well in the past.

What I did not know, and what a doctor would have advised, was that the self-administered meds would not be compatible with a blood thinner I had been prescribed, and that the combination would quickly lead to ulcers and blood so thin I would spontaneously “bleed out” internally.

I was released yesterday after receiving transfusions of eight units of blood and plasma, antidotes and treatments to stop the damage that had been done. I will need a series of follow-up visits to assess my progress and to determine if surgical intervention is also needed.

I learned that no matter how inconvenient, the warning to “check with your doctor” has real meaning.

[Jack-in-the-Green]

Wow. Sounds like a scary situation. Hope your follow-ups show everything is healing up nicely. But hey, at least you got to try some new products while you were there. Seriously, though, take care of yourself, and good luck.

[ackvil]

Hope you are on your way to recovery.

[ZackP]

Hope you are okay now! Also, where in Maine did you go?

[Codfish]

Hope you are okay now! Also, where in Maine did you go?

York Beach and vicinity. It was the best weather so far this summer--sunny and mid-80s throughout!

[BlackBard]

Hey Jim,

I learned about hospital shaving when I had a stroke almost 3 years ago. I used my Mach 3 and Nivea canned gel. Not bad, but not as good as using my trusted brush and soaps. I was in the hospital and then rehab for about 25 days.

Anyway, I, too, am taking "blood thinners." The doctors all advised against shaving with a blade, so I am surprised that they would tell you not to use your DE, but then give you a blade to shave with.

Good luck with your continuing recovery.

David

[Vickers]

Holy cow, that is scary. Glad you're on the mend.

Also, I think it's awesome that even in the middle of all that, you thought about a shave review.

[ZackP]

Hope you really enjoyed it, that's a nice area. I'm about an hour north of there. Get well soon! :)

[Dave258]

Sorry to hear what happened to you Jim, I hope everything works out for you!
I am going into the hospital at the end of the month for surgery, and have been wondering what I am going to do for shaving. I was not sure if they allow DE's and blades brought in.

[Graybeard57]

Sorry to hear what happened to you Jim, I hope everything works out for you!
I am going into the hospital at the end of the month for surgery, and have been wondering what I am going to do for shaving. I was not sure if they allow DE's and blades brought in.

Been an RN for quite awhile, and the only hospitals I am aware of that have restrictions on toiletries are psychiatric. If you are having surgery at a psych hospital, that pretty much demonstrates you ARE crazy, and probably shouldn't be allowed around sharp objects.

On a serious note, it might be prudent to ask your surgeon if it's safe for you to use a razor postoperative. Most likely it will be, but as Codfish clearly tells us, it never hurts to ask, and it might hurt not to.

Glad Codfish survived his ordeal, one that could easily happen to any of us. BTW, hospitals buy the cheapest toiletries they can find. Check your bill, I'll bet they charged you way more than it was worth.



And good luck with your upcoming surgery.

[itsmedave]

Dear God Jim glad you are better!!

[cb91710]

Thanks for this!
It's a good note for many who don't think twice about mixing OTC medications with prescriptions meds... and even many "natural" and homeopathic remedies can have serious interactions.

Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it won't kill you.

[KyMash]

Get well soon!

[sychodelix]

Yep, when you are on prescription meds already, it's a good plan to at least research what you are taking along with it, to make sure there are no interactions. I do that with both my kids and I even if the doctor is the one giving them out.

And glad you are okay! Feel better soon.

[Rivguy]

Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it won't kill you.

Rich makes a great point. We all need to be mindful of what meds and supplements that we put into our bodies. I am very glad that Jim brought this to our attention.

Jim, I had the pleasure of experiencing a hospital shave a few years back as well. They gave me some Medline shave cream, a through away razor and a towelette. The nurse must have seen the look on my face and suggested that I may want to call my wife to have her bring my regular gear. I had one shave with this gear...which was one shave too many.

In any event, Jim, I hope that you are doing better each day and will improve to the point that the surgery will not be necessary. God speed my fellow B&B friend.

Regards,

Doug

[NexlevMM]

Wow, glad to hear you're doing a lot better.. That whole situation sounds like a very scary one.

[kmain]

I remember going to the hospital once here in Germany for a serious allergic reaction, scariest night of my life... last thing I was thinking about was a razor. They did have to shave some chest hair tho so the EKG didn't hurt so badly getting taken off. It was smooth I guess? LOL

[Deltaboy]

Glad your getting better.

[Oscroft]

I was released yesterday after receiving transfusions of eight units of blood and plasma

Now that would be a great shaving story on its own

Hope you're getting better, and thanks for the cautionary tale - be careful what medicines you take, or you might end up having to shave with a disposable!

[ricardo9505]

amen.
glad you alright brother. that's the important thing and I have relatives that learned that lesson the hard way, using meds on a whim, but it's an old school mentality and my parents grew up country folk. lol.
good review. I was without a razor and had to use a singleblade disposable while up in Rhode Island. I cut myself so bad I had never experienced such a bad shave and mind you, I had been using carts (mach 3) only 2 months earlier, ... think it was a bic brand, i forget. but I'll always remember the horrible experience. I had barbasol which my cousin uses. starting my second pass , pissed, I washed it all off, rubbed a cheap glycerin soap all over my face, then moisturizer and lathered with my hand, then got a better shave, not good but much more forgiving.
I gained much more respect for my creams and soaps right there at that moment.