Anaphylactic reaction after ongoing exposure to hair glue: a novel case report.
J Emerg Med
; 48(1): e5-7, 2015 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25453858
BACKGROUND: Latex allergy is thought to be present in up to 6.5% of the general population, and can be much higher among those with chronic exposure. It is, however, uncommonly associated with severe anaphylactic reactions. Hair-care practices, such as the application of a hair weave, are a potential cause of latex-related anaphylaxis because the adhesives often contain natural rubber latex. CASE REPORT: We report the first case in the emergency medicine literature of successful treatment of a patient with airway compromise secondary to hair glue exposure. This case involved a 29-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with severe angioedema and airway compromise. The patient had recently had an adhesive substance applied to her scalp for a hair weave placement. The patient did respond initially to antihistamine and alpha-adrenergic medication, however, because the allergen could not be removed, she relapsed, was subsequently intubated, and admitted to the intensive care unit. The latex-containing hair glue was removed over a period of several hours using an oil-based hair-conditioning product. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This unique and potentially lethal situation required innovative management. Successful resolution of this case required a high degree of cultural literacy leading to the correct diagnosis and treatment, and utilization of resources outside of the health care field. Clinicians treating patients in areas where similar hair-care practices are prevalent should be aware of this pathology, and consider similar management strategies.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Adhesives
/
Hair Preparations
/
Anaphylaxis
/
Latex
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Emerg Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United States