A Severe Case of Methaemoglobinaemia in a Brazilian Hairdresser

Overview

Journal BMJ Case Rep

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2020 Jan 24

PMID 31969408

Citations 2

Authors

Felicity de Vere

Rachel Moores

Kulwant Dhadwal

Efthimia Karra

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Methaemoglobinaemia is an extremely rare condition with multiple causes, both genetic and acquired. We present a severe case of methaemoglobinaemia occurring in a Brazilian hairdresser working in the UK. She presented after several days of preparing popular 'Brazilian blowdry' treatments for customers at a hair salon. She had been exposed to multiple volatile chemicals, including formaldehyde, without any respiratory protection, and we postulate that this may have caused her illness. If so, this would be the first published case of methaemoglobinaemia caused by exposure to the volatile components of beauty products.

Citing Articles

Knowledge, practices, and self-reported health outcomes related to chemical use and safety among beauty salons and parlor workers in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.

Nkoana K, Mbonane T, Chadyiwa M, Van Wyk R, Mokoatle C, Magunga B Pan Afr Med J. 2024; 48:11.

PMID: 39184846 PMC: 11343501. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.48.11.39877.

Association between Maternal Exposure to Chemicals during Pregnancy and the Risk of Foetal Death: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Ooka T, Horiuchi S, Shinohara R, Kojima R, Akiyama Y, Miyake K Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(22).

PMID: 34831503 PMC: 8618242. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211748.

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