Following an allergic reaction to hair dye, an aspiring model ended up looking ‘like the Elephant Man.’
Chloe Robins, a 14-year-old from Hampshire, UK, was taken to the hospital after her mother Joanna applied a home dye kit to change her hair color.
After using the semi-permanent black dye, which includes the chemical para-phenylenediamine (PPD), the teenager began to experience an itchy scalp.
However, in less than 48 hours, her head and neck swelled to double their usual size, causing her to suffer from severe vomiting and breathing difficulties.
While at a friend’s house, she screamed and vomited before collapsing in pain.
Chloe, who is currently preparing for her GCSEs, intended to dye her hair as part of her Halloween zombie costume.
She remarked: ‘I bought it because I was dressing up as a zombie, and I thought it would be fine.
‘Mum conducted a patch and strand test, and since there was no reaction, we applied it to my hair.
‘But it kept getting worse. My head began itching uncontrollably, then a terrible rash developed, and it started to spread and swell.
‘I was vomiting and felt terrified. I thought I would die from a hair dye reaction.
‘It changed my appearance drastically. My face became as round as a plate, and my eyes appeared frog-like. It was akin to the Elephant Man.’
After her mother applied the dye on Saturday night, Chloe noticed a reaction by Sunday morning. By Monday, she was unrecognizable.
Ms. Robins expressed: ‘She was really excited about Halloween, and look what happened.
‘It began so slowly but escalated into something severe in no time.
‘It was as if every pore on her head was leaking yellow pus, and her hair looked like it had been drenched in glue. We couldn’t even recognize her.
‘We were unsure when it would stop. It felt like her head would burst.’
Both Chloe and her mother are concerned that her aspirations of becoming a model may be jeopardized by this dye.
Ms. Robins stated: ‘Chloe will be affected for life, and her modeling career could be destroyed.
‘Awareness about PPD is crucial. Others have experienced this just like my daughter. If action had been taken, she wouldn’t have had to endure such an ordeal.
‘The doctors who treated Chloe mentioned that this is a prevalent issue. It should be removed from stores immediately.’
Due to legal actions against the company, Ms. Robins is unable to disclose the hair dye’s brand but referred to it as ‘a significant high street brand.’
A solicitor named Greg Almond has spearheaded a movement to prohibit PPD, with two questions regarding the matter set to be addressed in the House of Commons.
Mr. Almond stated: ‘Some estimates suggest that one million individuals in the UK are exposed to these products.
‘This is rapidly becoming a serious concern with PPD present in numerous off-the-shelf hair care items. Action is necessary.
‘PPD can be hazardous and lead to uncomfortable dermatitis, which is why the American Contact Dermatitis Society has effectively labeled it public enemy number one.’
Carol Walker, a medical expert in scalp and hair at Birmingham Trichology Centre, added: ‘I have been advocating for a ban or restrictions on products containing PPD for several years.
‘I hope that together we can urge the government to urgently investigate this matter.’
Chloe’s allergic reaction occurred just weeks after 17-year-old Tabatha McCourt tragically died following a violent seizure that struck her 20 minutes after she dyed her hair.
