Hair dyes and tints

Definition

This poisoning is from exposure to a hair dye or tint.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Permanent dyes
  o Naphtylamine
  o Phenylene diamines
  o Toluene diamines
  o Other aromatic amino compounds
  
• Temporary dyes
  o Silver
  o Mercury
  o Lead (see lead poisoning)
  o Arsenic
  o Bismuth
  o Pyrogallol
  o Denatured alcohol
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive

Where Found

• Various hair dyes
  

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  o Unable to walk in a normal manner
  o Slurred speech
  o No urine output
  o Collapse
  
• Respiratory
  o Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Burning pain in the throat
  o Blurred vision
  o Burns to the eye
  
• Skin
  o Rash
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Vomiting
  o Abdominal pain
  o Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Low blood pressure
  
• Nervous system
  o Stupor
  o Coma
  

Home Treatment
For any toxic exposure or allergic reaction, seek medical care immediately. Give the patient milk or water to dilute the aluminum salts, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider or the patient is unable to swallow (due to convulsions or unconsciousness).

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• The time it was swallowed
  
• The amount swallowed
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.