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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can HIV Be Transmitted If A Sex Toy Touched A Small, Non-bleeding Wound On My Hand While Cleaning It?

While I was cleaning the sex toy I bought online, it came into contact with the small wound on my hand that had not been bleeding for a day. It arrived to me by courier in 1 day. If the toy has been used by someone with HIV, can HIV be transmitted from where my hand touches it while cleaning it?
posted on Tue, 31 Oct 2023
Twitter Wed, 3 Sep 2025 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 30 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

You should wash new toys thoroughly with warm water and mild soap before first use. Your wound was not bleeding for a day; means it's not an open wound rather it is already healing. You were cleaning it with your hand means there was no mucous membrane contact.

Transmission risk comes only when a sex toy is immediately shared between partners without proper cleaning, while still coated in fresh blood or fluids. A toy shipped to you by courier would not carry infectious HIV. Not HIV, but sometimes due to poor packaging or storage, bacterial contamination can happen. Toys can harbor bacteria or yeast and can lead to infections if they are not cleaned properly.

Using unsafe materials like non-body-safe plastics, or porous materials, or even rough handling may cause irritation or microtears. Be careful of the material and also avoid being rough with yourself. Avoid sharing or use a condom on the toy if sharing.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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Can HIV Be Transmitted If A Sex Toy Touched A Small, Non-bleeding Wound On My Hand While Cleaning It?

Hello, You should wash new toys thoroughly with warm water and mild soap before first use. Your wound was not bleeding for a day; means it s not an open wound rather it is already healing. You were cleaning it with your hand means there was no mucous membrane contact. Transmission risk comes only when a sex toy is immediately shared between partners without proper cleaning, while still coated in fresh blood or fluids. A toy shipped to you by courier would not carry infectious HIV. Not HIV, but sometimes due to poor packaging or storage, bacterial contamination can happen. Toys can harbor bacteria or yeast and can lead to infections if they are not cleaned properly. Using unsafe materials like non-body-safe plastics, or porous materials, or even rough handling may cause irritation or microtears. Be careful of the material and also avoid being rough with yourself. Avoid sharing or use a condom on the toy if sharing. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician