Hair Dye Epic Fail

Well it truly was an epic fail, and I just want to upload this video so you can see in a few minutes what I went through. This video shows some of the side effects of the PPD in the hair dye I used from Clairol's line of "Just for Men" hair dye, and still suffer from the resulting after effect when I  contracted MRSA while being treated.

It was sort of strange actually. I was told by some female friends, you should really dye your hair, as it will make you look younger and more attractive. I didn't want to for the reason that I didn't mind my salt and pepper hair, but was convinced otherwise. What was strange was that I first met my wife with this face. I had just had a treatment at the burn unit in the Abbotsford Hospital and met her at a Starbucks in Chilliwack. We chatted online before meeting and when she saw me the first time, she simply asked if the skin irritation thing I had was contagious? I said no..... and the rest is history. We have been married now going on 6 years and am glad that she didn't judge me on my looks. 

 It was a very painful and traumatic time for me, but it was easier to deal with  when the  toxic shock and burning sensation subsided. The MRSA is the second worst part. Having cysts and boils all over your body can be very irritating and sometimes extremely painful. I hope I can find a way to cure myself of this staph infection. If you have any natural cures that no one has told me about, and isn't harmful or uses chemicals, I would love to hear about it.

What is PPD in hair dye?

 

 

Just because you don't see a reaction, 

doesn't mean it isn't there!

PPD is a harmful chemical dye that is widely used in not only hair colour, but it is also used in the textile industry, dying furs, cosmetics, dark henna tattooing, ink cartridges for printing, black rubber, oils, greases, gas, and the list goes on. It is resident in 99% of all hair dyes, so if you are thinking that you are going to be safe and have some natural blend, you are probably being fooled, unless it says no PPD or p-Phenylendiamine added.

My reaction soon after using Just for Men hair dye in 2009

The dangerous elements of PPD is a compound dirivitive from aniline, which is actually a white solid. When you add oxidation to this white solid it darkens to whatever degree desired by engineers developing usually polymers and composite materials. As an ingredient in hair dyes the formula of p-Phenylenediamine is C₆H₄(NH₂)₂ . I is actually an organic compound and is treated and reacts to different substances which can create even violet tints and reds. In different applications the basically colourless dye is transformed into the colours present in hair colours. 
 
As 99% of all hair dye contain varying amounts of PPD, this also includes semi permanent hair colour, black henna tattoo dye and almost every brand out there including some safe hair colour for cancer patients. The effects of hair dye in studies containing PPD's which most studies concur, but of course were never conclusive, that it observed associations with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, acute leukemia, and bladder cancer. With information coming from the US EPA and the CDC, it has also been voted the Allergen of the Year back in 2006 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

The swelling and skin irritation from Just for Men hair dye in 2009

What does this tell us? I know vanity is a very powerful thing ,and even female friends can hardly contain themselves when they finds grey hairs and start looking at hair dyes that would suit them best. Men not as much. I was single when I dyed my hair, my sister even bought it for me, and well the rest is history. I got very sick from it, contracted toxic shock as well as MRSA a horrible staph infection and super bug that I am still dealing with. We find it important to present ourselves in a youthful light to others, but is dying your hair with known killer chemicals important enough to risk that look? Adverse reactions to PPD in hair dye has known to kill people so just because you may not outwardly have a reaction, doesn't mean that it isn't doing something that may become evident later.

Even the world health organization has made comments that hair dresses and barbers are at a very high risk of cancer due to the application of hair dye. So not only are those who have their hair dyed at risk. 
 
As a young teen, elders and seers always told me to eat and consume natural things. They told me that my mind, body and spirit we very sensitive to unnatural things. I found this out directly when I had my hair dyed but signs were evident before and especially after as the body becomes hyper aware when a known substance had created problems in the past. I purchased made in China black socks and when I wore them my feet became considerably swollen as a result. Also a new t shirt created hives on my body, and a new black leather belt brought out a rash around my waist.

PPD is in many items, and it is really up to us as vigilant people to monitor ourselves and our family's. It is our responsibility to better inform our children as there are so many products that have PPD's. Here in Canada the Government has banned cosmetics that touch the skin containing PPD's, but even hair dye will under all circumstances enter into the follicles of the hair and into the scalp. 

It doesn't matter how careful you are, it finds a way. I know many hair dressers will use a plastic barrier, pulling out the strands to be dyed, but to fully and completely cover the hair, remove grey or the former tint on the hair, all the hair must be colourized. When you wash your hair you are also enveloping all your breathing skin with chemicals, if you are using the shower method to wash treated hair after an application of hair dye.
 
I don't know what to say, other than, women, be careful, and men, you look better with the wisdom of your grey. I find it sad that women have so much more pressure from the mainstream and social consciousness to look younger. It is a huge price to pay when you endanger your life and health to look glamorous or younger.

Sources and added information links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-Phenylenediamine

http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/paraphenylenediamine-allergy.html

http://www.actionagainstallergy.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178:the-facts-about-ppd-and-hair-colorants&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=525

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2051098/Does-YOUR-hair-dye-contain-chemical-feared-killed-woman.html

http://www.tattooinfo.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=34

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2051098/Does-YOUR-hair-dye-contain-chemical-feared-killed-woman.html

A natural way to help aid healing of dangerous hair dye's burns and flare-ups.

Plantain, a readily available helpful remedy!

I have not looked at my blog for almost five years and have had almost 25,000 hits. Someone mentioned that they saw me on google images and it was a horrible picture of me with a big rash. Well I revisited my blog and it was very active despite my absence. This means people are suffering, and for that I am sorry, as I have found some helps that are fast and reliable.

Outside of the Mannatech products that I use to this day. I have found something that is natural, readily available and I found that it works. It is called Plantain. I have used it on people with burns and skin irritations, as well as the adverse reactions to hair dye. What I do is first go outside and collect the leaves of the plantain weed as most think of it as, and wash it thoroughly. Because of weather modification spraying and the floral carbons in the air, it is wise to wash the plantain so that you have very little residue on the leaves. If you are close to a place like a park or where there is less traffic, all the better, but in a pinch you will find it right in your yard. It is amazing how some of the most powerful healthy healing herbs are sometimes right under our noses.

After washing the leaves with a surfactant, or natural soap and water, you grind them down with a mortar and pestil, or even a spoon on a plate. Make sure the the leaves are leeching the internal green matter in a semi liquid form and wrap it on the affected area with a gauze, or clean cloth. Repeat this as often as necessary as it will not only draw out the poisons, but will also encourage healing like aloe vera does or Japanese knot weed.

In the cases I have been present, it has helped the swelling, scabbing and leeching of the wound. Remember the body has to do its thing. Trying to stop swelling or the seeping of liquids may not be helpful, as the body needs to get rid of the presence of, in the case of dangerous hair dyes, which has Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye.

Remember that going to emergency or to your doctor after having a reaction to hair dye is primary, but make sure that they use gloves and that all preventative measures are adhered to concerning your body. I contracted MRSA and had toxic shock when in the hospital. When they touch you and or others in the area, you can easily catch this horrible staph infection, that never seems to go away.

Read more about Plantain. The internet has so many great articles and blogs about it. Here is one that talks about making a poultice:
 
http://www.wildplantforager.com/blog/wild-medicine-how-to-make-a-plantain-poultice-the-right-way

It doesn't go away

I have not been able to shake it to date. I am growing my hair out again, because it doesn't seem to matter what I do. Months ago my doctor gave me a cotton swap to bring to the lap and it stopped weeping until the last few days. It is always itchy but hasn't been weeping that liquid. A few days ago it go so itchy I was waking up scratching again. I have enough ooze to bring to the lab now, and who knows what it will bring.

a serious allergic reaction to PPD in Hair dye

It is now September of 2010 and I decided to let my hair grow despite the continued reactions to my skin, especially my scalp. I get a kind of boil acne on my face and neck all the time and rashes around my ears and around my temples. I still have not filed legal actions, but they will come. I have detoxed and am still trying alternative things to stop this.

a serious allergic reaction to PPD in Hair dye

I think I know what makes it react so bad. It is the natural covering of the hair on my head as it was growing. I also wear glasses and as I have just got a new pair that are thick plastic and they stay on my nose and rest on the side of my head, the friction and lack of breathing creates severe problems for me. I feel like my skin is on fire and just underneath the skin it feels sort of pussy and I have head aches in the last week on and off, and they are paralyzing. My eyes are hot and have been taking ibuprofen. I am trying to let my skin breath as much as possible, but it has been oozing and scaling quit a bit and it is embarrassing to go out.

Thought I could grow my hair out.....what now?

A few weeks ago.... tired and wanting my hair long again, I started to grow it out. When it covered my head as you can see in the picture, the symptoms began to return. Puss is coming from my ears again, my head is oozing and I get boils on my hands and they hurt. My neck is starting to itch and underneath the skin on my neck and forehead it feels bruised. When I had my head shaved from the summer on, I could put cream on it and it seemed to breath better. Now that I am growing my hair out it all comes back. I feel very ashamed that my hair can't be long and in a braid.

What next?

It has been a long time and I had to chop my hair off, something I never thought I would do. Everytime I try and grow it out I get scabs on my scalp like exema. I think it is time to call a lawyer and deal with the pain and suffering this dye has put me through.

August 4, 2009 hair dye allergy reaction

I sometimes hope that things are returning to normal, but when I have a breath of relief something else happens. My hands have been very itchy and after the bumps form, then the skin begins to peel. It is frustrating to say the least. My head still has problems, but not like before. The sun and heat are a factor and I have to wear a dampened hat to keep my scalp from braking out. I still have a rash around my nether regions and it seems to get worse when it is very hot out.

July 22, 2009 hair dye allergy reaction

Since my last blog I received more Mannatech from Lawrence sent via Puralator, thanks Lawrence. I find that the Firm and Emprizone help maintain the spread of the rashes, but not the onset of the bumps and the early stages of the problems around my body. I get little bumps on my hands then they seem to go deeper and get larger as on my head, they then turn into a rash like on my calf on my right leg. If I keep caking on the mannatech it helps. I don’t know where the bumps may appear next. The summer heat is definitely a factor, when I sweat and it is very hot I can feel it like pins and needles and the areas are very itchy. My head still has ongoing problems with me scatching away at scabs and flaking skin I apply the creams, and hope that I don’t break out severely.

“Just for Men” contacted me a couple of weeks ago and offered to pay for my medical expenses. They were very understanding, but I am thinking about the continued pain and suffering of what has and is happening to my body concerning the blood poisoning that it has caused and the continued agony that I suffer.

July 6, 2009 hair dye allergy reaction

My back has broken out in a rash and it is itchy like a mother. I still itch like crazy
especially when I go to bed. Having a good nights sleep is not easy. I went on a date
on the weekend and was ashamed of all the scaling on my head and the skin which still
comes off my scalp. It is like I have the worst case of exema in history.

I don't know if it is from this poisoning, but my throat has been sore when I swallow. My
glands in my neck have been enflamed all along, but my whole neck feels bruised when
I press at it and it is a bit swollen.

I have four marble sized enflamed glands on the right side of my neck and two on my
left that are quit painful and the one that is closest to the base of my skull has given me
a head ache for almost 5 days.

July 6, 2009 hair dye allergy reaction

As you can see I have not posted for a while, but it doesn't mean things haven't been
interesting. Just over a week ago the skin on the tips of my fingers peeled off and the
tops of my feet had a similar reaction. You can see some of the scar tissue as a result.
I rarely get foot fungus, but this time it was not the same, and I figured out it was from
whatever PPD or poisoned blood thing I have now that is reacting to my body. It cut
into the crevices of my feet that it felt like razor blade cuts and it hurts. The pictures I
took today. I should have been more diligent with my blog, but it is frustrating to have to
go through something you would rather forget.

I ran out of the Mannatech stuff four days ago and it has started burning. My head
broke out again and three days ago when it was sunny out it felt like I had heat stroke.
At work I was not feeling well and had to go home and take a gravol, so I wouldn't throw
up. Not having the Firm and Emprizone is not easy. I have been applying the cortisone
cream my doctor prescribed, but it fails to repair my tissue. Lawrence finally called
yesterday from his holiday back east and has ordered some Mannatech for me.

The skin on my hands and fingers also keep peeling. When the new layer is
established it seems to break out again. What am I going to do? Will this ever go
away? I have had every herbal, natural pathic remedy thrown at me to try, and really
the only thing that has helped is the Mannatech and I am out....

June 17,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

Since my last blog I have been itchy mostly when I go to bed. I didn't keep up the mannatech Firm and Emprizone for a day or two and some of the scabbing behind my ear came back, so I am trying to keep up with the applications. For some reason I have been really itchy around my nether regions, arms and trunk. I wake up and have scratched myself raw. My face is puffy and my eyes are even itchy. As you can see my lids and forhead are a bit swollen and just above my hairline has been irritated. I have been taking some things to detox my system. Lemon water with cyan and maple syrup fast, but being on the meds cannot go on an empty stomach, so I will start tomorrow as today is my last day of official meds.

I have another blood test on the 20th to see what's up with the rest of my system. The worst is the itching. And no libido to speak of. No fun. and am looking rather lousy. Three days ago I started getting major cramps in my body. I would wake up with my legs and chest, sometimes my arms or back would cramp and I would wake up screaming in pain. I have taken a half dose of a muscle relaxant before bed if I feel the possibility of cramps. They are so painful. I have not been sleeping well at all. Lots of tossing and turning and trying not to itch. During the day and at work I am a bit more cautious as to how I work so I don't end up cramping when doing what I do.... at tow truck driver...by day.

June 10,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

Outside of an itchy scalp and lots of flakes coming off me, the outside exposed skin is almost healed. I can be in the sun and not feel the burning. I have applied the Firm and Emprizone alternately and it really is amazing. I have looked at my own posts and if I didn't see the results in such a short time, I wouldn't have beleived it myself.

The major problem I face is the itching of my body, especially at night. It is like I have hives or something. My back, arms, thighs, and ass cheeks especially.... go figure. But all in all tomorrow I am scheduled to go back to work and for the most part I am much better. I will have to get some things together to do something to detoxify my body from this poisoning. I have read postings about people suffering for years with itching from the ppd poisoning. I won't let that be me, so if you have any suggestions?

June 9,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

I am itching like crazy, it seems better during the day, but when I lay down it is not comfortable then I can't sleep as it is worse when I am in the prone position. I took an anti-histamine and hope that helps... off to bed at 6am... not a time to be going to bed. It will all some day be over and everything will be okay...lol

June 8,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

Last night I couldn't sleep. All day long I itched all over my body. The allergic reaction was like when I get an MSG attack, but ten times worse. When I tried to go to bed I had such an attack with like a heart burn feeling, I could barely breath. I puttered around til 8am when I went to the lab and had a scheduled blood work done. Then about 11pm I didn't itch and had a little nap. The Emprizone and firm are working great. I even was out in the sun and didn't feel that big ass burning sensation. I am now on Novo-Lexin for ten days and Apo-Prednisone for five more days. I am going to get an anti-histamine for this crazy itch.... and hope it will not be an ongoing reaction.

June 7,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

I have been using the Emprizone and Firm from Mannatech alternately and you can see the results even after ONE DAY.... HOLY!!! Hard to beleive there is something out there that can do this. My last dose of intrevenous anti-biotics was last night and now I have to go on for another ten days of Keflex. I am not all together feeling well. The trama of this ordeal is affecting everything I do. I try and do things like I normally would but have to take it easy and rest, and that for me is not always easy. I am going to try and rest and recover, as now I hope I am over the worst of it.

A few days after my initial reaction. I thought I had a sliver in one of my fingers. It hurt so much I asked Michelle to take it out for me. The closer I looked I found they were all over my fingers. It was very irritating and painful. An Asian traditional doctor visiting my home told me that when you are poisoned or electrocuted for instance, the body will naturally try and push the poison out of its extremities.

June 6,2009 hair dye allergy reaction

Last night I slept all through the night. In the pics I have the Firm from Mannatech on and it is really doing the job. The swelling on my head is down and even the itching is gone, that is a big thing. I feel almost normal and my skin feels tingly but not bad. I am not feeling nauseated any more and going outside in the sun has been bearable. I don't know what all is in Firm and Emprizone, but have been told it is all natural. If I didn't use it I would not have beleived it. From agony to relief. I am still having tests done as they were afraid for blood poisoning and toxic shock, and one day left of getting an iv in my arm. I don't know but I think it is www.mannatech.com for some info on the stuff they have available. Thanks again Lawrence.