Does your hair dye make your heart race?
Trying to “wash the gray out of her hair” was a near fatal mistake for a 59-year-old California woman. She had been dyeing her hair for several years without a problem until one day after applying the solution to her hair, her eyes began to swell, she began to feel itchy and sore and she began to have palpitations.
She decided switch to another brand of hair dye and buy an antihistamine in case you have a reaction. It turned out that she had another allergic reaction, but the antihistamine worked and she quickly recovered. She decided to try her old hair color one more time, and this time it really convinced her. Her vision became blurred, her face and hands swelled, and she became dizzy and she became shaky. She couldn’t breathe and pretend. The paramedics arrived and, with a shot of adrenaline, saved his life. She had a rare but serious allergic reaction to a chemical in her hair dye.
an allergic reaction it usually occurs after the first or second exposure to an allergen (the agent or substance that causes the allergic reaction). However, allergic reactions may not occur until after years of exposure. So don’t rule out any unusual symptoms you may experience just because you’ve used a product for several months or years. And don’t be fooled into thinking you’re safe just because you’ve used a product before.
The most common Allergic ingredient in hair dyes is a synthetic organic compound called p-phenylenediamine. It is found in most permanent hair colorants. If you’re worried about having an allergic reaction but would still like to dye your hair, take these precautions: do a patch test every time you use permanent color, wear gloves to protect your hands, avoid rubbing the dye into your scalp, and wash any dye that touches your skin.
You can also try to avoid p-phenylenediamine. Most semi-permanent hair dyes, including “cellophane,” do not contain this substance. Be sure to check the content of the label.
MEDICAL SOURCE—–
In Health (5.2:28)
Say goodbye to runny nose and hay fever?
Swallowing medications and allergy shots have been the common way to relieve allergy symptoms, until now. Research is currently underway to develop a vaccine that will block allergic reactions before they have a chance to start. The University of Birmingham, England, conducted experiments on 10 rats severely allergic to egg white. Six rats received the vaccine, then all 10 were fed egg protein. Five of the vaccinated rats had no allergic reaction, while the four unvaccinated rats suffered severe symptoms, resulting in the death of two of the rats. The vaccine was successful in five of the six test rats. Although the vaccine sounds promising, it is still in the testing stage.
MEDICAL SOURCE ——
Science News (138.22:341)
Shy about your runny nose?
Do you have a runny nose, red eyes and a strong fear of meeting new people? Recent evidence indicates that there could be a link between hay fever and shyness. A group of researchers from the University of Arizona studied a group of college students and found that those who considered themselves extremely shy also suffered more from hay fever, depression, fear and fatigue. In another Harvard University study, researchers suggested that hay fever and shyness are controlled by the same transmitters and chemicals in our brains that regulate mood, smell, and immunity. So if you suffer from shyness, prepare your handkerchief, you may have a higher vulnerability to hay fever.
MEDICAL SOURCE—–
Science News (138.17:262)
Can allergies harm your heart?
Researchers at the University of California-San Diego believe that men with allergies are at increased risk of heart attack. Many people who have allergies produce high levels of an immune system protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The researchers believe that IgE might somehow alter blood circulation and contribute to heart disease or heart attacks. If you have allergies, ask your doctor if monitoring your heart would be beneficial.
MEDICAL SOURCE ——
American Heart Association Press Release’ (March 14, 1991)