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Electric Shaver
My hubby was fitted with an ICD last week and was told that he is no longer allowed to use his electric shaver? Is this right?
13 Comments
I use a battery shaver instead
by Shaun - 2016-03-29 01:03:54
I was also informed not to use a mains shaver and so I started using a battery one instead. I don't know if the mains shaver would have caused any problems, but given the choice I would prefer not to pass a mains cable close to the pacemaker site.
I was also informed not to use a petrol chainsaw / hedge cutter, but I have no other option and so I continued to use them without any ill effect.
Medtronic advice
by DampDog - 2016-03-29 03:03:43
I've posted a link to the Medtronic manual for integrated pacemaker/defib CRT-D device. While they don't say not to use electric shavers they do advise keeping shavers and other devices that generate magnetic fields approximately 6" from the device.
"Household and hobby items.
Caution: Household and hobby items that have motors or magnets or that generate electromagnetic energy fields could interfere with your heart device. You should move away from the interference source or turn off the source if you experience any dizziness or heart palpitations.
Keep your heart device at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) away from the
following household and hobby items:
# Handheld kitchen appliances, such as electric mixers
# Sewing machines and sergers
# Personal care items, such as corded handheld hair dryers, corded
electric shavers, electric or ultrasonic toothbrushes (base charger), or back massagers
# Items that contain magnets, such as bingo wands, mechanic's extractor wands (which use magnets to pick up metal items), magnetic bracelets, magnetic clasps, magnetic chair pads, or stereo speakers (even if the power for the speakers is disconnected)
Chapter 2 35
# Radio-controlled toys (antenna)
# Two-way walkie-talkies (less than 3 watts)
To avoid interference with your heart device, the following household and hobby items require special precautions:"
"http://manuals.medtronic.com/wcm/groups/mdtcom_sg/@emanuals/@era/@crdm/documents/documents/contrib_166899.pdf"
I have no idea what a "mechanic's extractor wand" is, I always suspected they were using witchcraft to fix my car judging by the bill... :-)
Hope that helps.
I use a mains shaver
by IAN MC - 2016-03-29 04:03:28
and have had absolutely no problems . Without doubt my chin and lower left cheek is within six inches of the PM .
I just didn't fancy having a beard on one side of my face.
Tell your hubby to use it and see what happens.
Ian
Ruby.......
by Tattoo Man - 2016-03-29 06:03:08
...You are in very safe hands here..Tracey is a gilt edged American and the others live about an hour away from you..
PMClub gets local
TM x
Hi Ruby...................
by Tattoo Man - 2016-03-29 06:03:35
.............Firstly...its fine to ask this Forum about anything....But...
...and,.. IAN MC and Tracey will agree with me,... that the 'World of Pacemakers' is inhabited by no shortage of 'Informed' individuals who just love to continue the dissemination of Urban Myths / Pub Wisdom....
...So...Hubby could give up shaving and be an itchy Pacemaker victim...
..Or embrace the current cult / fashion of being a 'Hipster'...but ,..watch out ..his spending on clothing / hair-do's and being a Mancle Dude may be a real threat to any decent relationship..
Get him a chainsaw and trust Shaun on this one..
Best wishes..Tattoo Man ..Newark UK
...
To avoid any misunderstanding
by Shaun - 2016-03-29 07:03:40
I do not use ny chainsaw for shaving .... ;-)
Try testing it
by SaraTB - 2016-03-29 09:03:05
The thing with possible interference is that it's temporary. It won't reprogram the PM: in the very, very unlikely event of him feeling interference, all he has to do is step away from the razor, then go and buy a rechargeable cordless one. If he doesn't feel any effect, then he's fine.
Incidentally, I've used a chainsaw and a hedge trimmer. Neither were anywhere near my PM . . .
Thanks
by rubywine - 2016-03-30 09:03:48
Many thanks for the information and advice :) - forgot to add that his shaver is in fact a rechargeable cordless one!! so I guess that's just fine!!! hope so.
Hubby is also American and nice to know people are close by.
Pauline :)
When in Doubt, Look it Up
by PJinSC - 2016-03-31 08:03:31
Your father's pacemaker manufacturer most likely will have a website where you can read all about the do's and don'ts of living with a PM. Mine is a Boston Scientific, and they have a great website. Basically, whoever told you about the razor has no idea of what they are talking about. Feel free to look at my previous posts and those of some of the more "seasoned" forum members and you will see that there are more urban legends about PMs than you can imagine.
PJ
For what it's worth
by vguertin - 2016-04-03 09:04:23
I've been paced for for 11years. I use a Gillette razor that uses a AAA battery. The first time I shaved after my first implant I felt a slight buzz at the PM site. This has never occurred again.
Call
by Nicole33 - 2016-04-22 02:04:28
I was told that I couldn't use an electric razor too (I am female so it would be quite a distance from my ICD.) by my dr. Well, I called Medtronic and they told me that it was perfectly fine. My advice to you and your hubby is to contact the manufacturer of his device. I call them with any questions in regards to my ICD in general first. :)
Electric Shaver
by KB-1935 - 2016-12-08 11:04:03
I have a CORDED Norelco electric shaver/razor. I don't want to take any chances, so I hold a small stainless steel saucepan up-side-down over my pacemaker and shave quickly on that side. I'm still alive so I guess it works....
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by Tracey_E - 2016-03-29 01:03:04
Sometimes staff who doesn't really know what they're talking about can throw out random (and incorrect) advice. Check directly with the doctor or call the device manufacturer, but I've never heard of that. There are virtually no home electronics or appliances that we can't use.