Hair dyes are widely used for decorative skin paint, nail coloring, and hair dye. Hair dye toxicity has been attributed to adding a synthetic dye paraphenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is added to natural henna to accentuate the dark color and shorten the duration of application. PPD self-harm or accidental toxicity is well-known in developing countries and extensively reported in the medical literature.
Acute intoxication with PPD causes characteristic severe angioedema of the pharynx and larynx which usually necessitates tracheostomy, and it is associated with facial and tongue edema. PPD poisoning results in multisystem disorders and can cause rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, aggressive gastrointestinal manifestations, pancarditis, and arrhythmias. This form of severe poisoning is fatal if not treated early and properly. There is no specific antidote and treatment is mainly supportive and helpful only if initiated early.
Key words: Paraphenylenediamine, Hair dye, angioedema, rhabdomyolysis.
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