Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate bacterial and fungal contamination in hairdressing and beauty salons in Anyigba - a university community in Nigeria. Samples were collected from six different salons located around Kogi State University, Anyigba. The samples were collected from combs, brushes, hair stretchers, rollers and hairpins and processed according to standard procedures. The isolates obtained were examined and identified using microscopic examination, colonial morphology and biochemical characteristics. Five bacterial and six fungal species were isolated and identified. The bacterial isolates include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus sp, Enterococus species and Enterobacteria. The six fungal isolates were as followsAspergillus species, Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Trichophyton sp. andCephalosporium sp. The presence of these potential pathogens is an indication that hairdressing and beauty salons could be contributing to the spread of infection within Anyigba and also to the university community.

Key words: Potential pathogens, hairdressing, beauty salons, health risk.