Hair dye horror: I thought I was going to die

Hair dye horror: I thought I was going to die Hair dye horror: I thought I was going to die

A WOMAN phoned for an ambulance after an allergic reaction to a hair dye caused her face and head to swell dramatically.

Selma Jesus feared she was going to die after she used the £5.99 Clairol Nice n’ Easy black dye and her eyes started to close over while her forehead began to expand.

“I thought I was going to die,” she said.

“It was horrible and I’m still in shock. I could feel my forehead coming out.”

The 32-year-old did not carry out a small test of the dye on herself as recommended as she had used different colours by the same brand before.

Selma, of Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, said she was given an injection by paramedics and her GP gave her a prescription for tablets to relieve the swelling.

She went to hospital herself later the same day as the swelling continued and her fears grew.

The effect was still showing five days after using the black dye.

“I called an ambulance because I was desperate,” she said. “Now I have to take six tablets a day.”

A spokeswoman for Clairol said she would recommend users of any hair dye try a small area first.

She said: “We are sorry to hear about this situation.

“Our consumers’ safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority and we are keen to help however we can.

“We would encourage anyone with any questions about hair colourants to contact our consumer care team on freephone 0800 169 7669.

“Reactions to hair colourants can occur for a very small number of people, in the same way that some individuals can react to a variety of foods and natural substances.

“It is clearly stated on the pack that consumers should carry out a patch test each and every time the product is used.

“Millions of people all over the world use hair colourants without experiencing any adverse effects. In the UK around 100 million hair colourant applications are carried out every year in homes and salons.

“Hair colourants are one of the most thoroughly studied consumer products on the market and their safety is supported by a wealth of scientific research.”

Comments(30)

nobbythesheep says...
9:16am Wed 10 Oct 12

So she ignored the instructions, its her own fault and this deserves a story why?

Maybe its been written to warn the general public that there are idiots of this caliber out there and to be on guard in case one approaches you?

Wesoblind says...
9:23am Wed 10 Oct 12

maybe dye your hair blonde next time then you have an excuse?

retry69 says...
9:29am Wed 10 Oct 12

Will people never learn,there will be not much sympathy shown on here for her stupidity

Cerdicjute says...
9:39am Wed 10 Oct 12

As is the norm nowadays, the blame for people's own stupidity is shifted onto others. It's not the first time this kind of thing has been in the media and it won't be the last.

BournemouthMum says...
9:58am Wed 10 Oct 12

I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.

pw1931 says...
10:00am Wed 10 Oct 12

I used my wifes same brand dye
my head swollened but not my face or arms
you will be better in less than a week Selma best wishes.

Morrigan says...
10:33am Wed 10 Oct 12

*This* is considered worth reporting on by the Echo?!?!!

Does the silly woman not understand that each hair colour will have different pigments in them and just because she has used one colour, it does not mean she can use them all without doing a patch test?

Her fault entirely and no sympathy here .....
zzzzzzz! Next! .........

Old Harry says...
10:53am Wed 10 Oct 12

An alternative to the "little blue pill"?

Humf says...
10:59am Wed 10 Oct 12

"Selma, Jesus" more like - Echo must have missed out the comma. Is that really her surname ?!

nobbythesheep says...
11:22am Wed 10 Oct 12

I got stung by a wasp a few weeks back, my hand swelled up to twice its normal size, I saved my own life by taking an antihistamine so I'm basically a hero. As this got an article I should get my own column!

News reader says...
12:09pm Wed 10 Oct 12

I too have been colouring my hair for years.

The hairdresser I go to, always ensures that I do a patch test, and they then check this. Even if it is just a repeat you still have to do this.

I hope that the ambulance that went to her, didn't miss another more urgent, life threatening situation.

BournemouthMum says...
12:16pm Wed 10 Oct 12

News reader wrote:
I too have been colouring my hair for years.

The hairdresser I go to, always ensures that I do a patch test, and they then check this. Even if it is just a repeat you still have to do this.

I hope that the ambulance that went to her, didn't miss another more urgent, life threatening situation.
I've never been offered this - maybe it is just darker colours where they have to do a patch test? Mine is always coloured blonde.

News reader says...
12:32pm Wed 10 Oct 12

BournemouthMum wrote:
News reader wrote:
I too have been colouring my hair for years.

The hairdresser I go to, always ensures that I do a patch test, and they then check this. Even if it is just a repeat you still have to do this.

I hope that the ambulance that went to her, didn't miss another more urgent, life threatening situation.
I've never been offered this - maybe it is just darker colours where they have to do a patch test? Mine is always coloured blonde.
Mine is bright white!!!!

hamworthygirl says...
1:39pm Wed 10 Oct 12

BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
The I go to salon always does a test for a colour i havent tried before and when i have my eyleashes or eyebrows tinted a good salon always asks. It says quite clearly on the instructions to do a patch test, ignore it and you risk the consquences.No one is saying she is stupid but maybe this should be a lesson for all to read and follow the instructions that the company have put in the box

gerbil112 says...
3:20pm Wed 10 Oct 12

I'm surprised that the Paramedics didn't take her to hospital, as this was serious enough to warrant an injection (usually Adrenaline, Hydrocrotisone & Chlorphenamine for serious allergic reactions). With her face swollen, and continuing to swell, there could have been issues with her airway and breathing. Unless of course she refused point blank to go to hospital...

Upkeep says...
3:29pm Wed 10 Oct 12

She should have read the instructions.

Blokes wont make this mistake because when they were young they made Airfix kits.

We learnt too read instructions.

Hobad1 says...
7:34pm Wed 10 Oct 12

pw1931 wrote:
I used my wifes same brand dye
my head swollened but not my face or arms
you will be better in less than a week Selma best wishes.
You're clearly not better, judging by your english.

HRH of Boscombe says...
10:32pm Wed 10 Oct 12

How funny so many jumped to defend the cat killer for something quite obviously stupid but now attack a young, pretty girl for using a cosmetic.
.
That's why I never feel guilty for anything I say to people here.

hamworthygirl says...
4:53am Thu 11 Oct 12

HRH of Boscombe wrote:
How funny so many jumped to defend the cat killer for something quite obviously stupid but now attack a young, pretty girl for using a cosmetic.
.
That's why I never feel guilty for anything I say to people here.
I would never use the word stupid on here, bad judgement happens to all of us. I dislike the way people sling insults, an opnion is one thing abuse of others opnions is unnaceptable.

munchies says...
7:13am Thu 11 Oct 12

hamworthygirl wrote:
HRH of Boscombe wrote:
How funny so many jumped to defend the cat killer for something quite obviously stupid but now attack a young, pretty girl for using a cosmetic.
.
That's why I never feel guilty for anything I say to people here.
I would never use the word stupid on here, bad judgement happens to all of us. I dislike the way people sling insults, an opnion is one thing abuse of others opnions is unnaceptable.
Kettle black springs to mind

downmoor-ch63 says...
7:43am Thu 11 Oct 12

BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Most women over the greyline age touch up a bit dont they?, to say she was stupid was a bit of over reaction I think. I would like to wish you well Selma, ok, you made a mistake, we all make mistakes, no one has ever been BORN that has NEVER MADE A MISTAKE IN HIS OR HER LIFE!.

downmoor-ch63 says...
7:44am Thu 11 Oct 12

BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Most women over the greyline age touch up a bit dont they?, to say she was stupid was a bit of over reaction I think. I would like to wish you well Selma, ok, you made a mistake, we all make mistakes, no one has ever been BORN that has NEVER MADE A MISTAKE IN HIS OR HER LIFE!.

pw1931 says...
8:28am Thu 11 Oct 12

My little black cat he swollened up to an enormous size after sniffing hair dye
he couldn't get his head out of the flat cap.
Lots reported seeing a black panther here in the Purbecks
It was out Timmywimmie all the time.

pw1931 says...
8:29am Thu 11 Oct 12

sorry it should read cat flap
not flat cap

Dorset Logic says...
9:01am Thu 11 Oct 12

I am confused as to why more people don't sue?

Its obviously save to put,

Bleach or peroxide in your hair.

Acid on your face for a chemical peel.

Inject poisonous botox toxin into your body.

I'd be very surprised if any of those could have any damaging effect?

Dorset Logic says...
9:02am Thu 11 Oct 12

safe

Say-it-how-it-is says...
10:54am Thu 11 Oct 12

BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Sorry but you do come out with the most stupid comments some times. I'm a fully qualified hairdresser, NVQ level 3. You must always carry out a skin test on all chemical treatments. This is also perms soon. As some people can get an allergic reaction to perm lotions. Saying that you have never done this is just silly. And what hair salons do you go to. As they have no care for the client what so ever. They should be reported for this, as it's a very serious case now by not carrying out a skin test. A skin test use to be every year, then 6 months now it's every 3 months.

munchies says...
11:12am Thu 11 Oct 12

Say-it-how-it-is wrote:
BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Sorry but you do come out with the most stupid comments some times. I'm a fully qualified hairdresser, NVQ level 3. You must always carry out a skin test on all chemical treatments. This is also perms soon. As some people can get an allergic reaction to perm lotions. Saying that you have never done this is just silly. And what hair salons do you go to. As they have no care for the client what so ever. They should be reported for this, as it's a very serious case now by not carrying out a skin test. A skin test use to be every year, then 6 months now it's every 3 months.
I was unsure about commenting yesterday being a bloke but as i have been married to someone who has been hairdressing for over forty years i was fairly sure that it was the correct procedure to test first and my wife confirmed in those forty years she has never applied colour/perm to anyone unless tested first and would have probably been sacked if she did not

munchies says...
11:12am Thu 11 Oct 12

Say-it-how-it-is wrote:
BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Sorry but you do come out with the most stupid comments some times. I'm a fully qualified hairdresser, NVQ level 3. You must always carry out a skin test on all chemical treatments. This is also perms soon. As some people can get an allergic reaction to perm lotions. Saying that you have never done this is just silly. And what hair salons do you go to. As they have no care for the client what so ever. They should be reported for this, as it's a very serious case now by not carrying out a skin test. A skin test use to be every year, then 6 months now it's every 3 months.
I was unsure about commenting yesterday being a bloke but as i have been married to someone who has been hairdressing for over forty years i was fairly sure that it was the correct procedure to test first and my wife confirmed in those forty years she has never applied colour/perm to anyone unless tested first and would have probably been sacked if she did not

Say-it-how-it-is says...
1:26pm Thu 11 Oct 12

munchies wrote:
Say-it-how-it-is wrote:
BournemouthMum wrote:
I am in my late 40s and have been colouring my hair since I was 13, have used many different colours and have never once carried out a patch test, neither has any salon I have have been to, in fact I don't know anyone who does this. It's very rare to get a reaction like this and I don't quite understand the comments implying that she is stupid, and she certainly doesn't seem to be blaming anyone else.
Sorry but you do come out with the most stupid comments some times. I'm a fully qualified hairdresser, NVQ level 3. You must always carry out a skin test on all chemical treatments. This is also perms soon. As some people can get an allergic reaction to perm lotions. Saying that you have never done this is just silly. And what hair salons do you go to. As they have no care for the client what so ever. They should be reported for this, as it's a very serious case now by not carrying out a skin test. A skin test use to be every year, then 6 months now it's every 3 months.
I was unsure about commenting yesterday being a bloke but as i have been married to someone who has been hairdressing for over forty years i was fairly sure that it was the correct procedure to test first and my wife confirmed in those forty years she has never applied colour/perm to anyone unless tested first and would have probably been sacked if she did not
She's a good hairdresser. There are so many out there, that do this. Anyone can sue. So why take risks. Ive been hairdressing for 14 years now and would never take any risk when working.

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