TITLE:
Case Report: Autoimmune Disease Triggered by Exposure to Hair Straightening Treatment Containing Formaldehyde
AUTHORS:
James Dahlgren, Rhett Roback, Maria Dominguez, Vera Byers, David Silver, Edward Faeder
KEYWORDS:
Formaldehyde; Autoimmune; Chemical Exposure; Brazilian Blowout; Hair Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.3 No.1,
February
18,
2013
ABSTRACT: Formaldehyde (FHO) is a multipurpose chemical that is an eye, nose, throat and skin irritant, sensitizer and allergen, as well as a class 1 human carcinogen. Brazilian hair treatments, containing high levels of FHO (up to 11%), have become regularly used that have the potential to expose clients to toxic levels in excess of current regulatory standards. We report on a patient who underwent a single hair treatment and subsequently developed an autoimmune disease. We review the relevant literature on autoimmune disease and formaldehyde exposure. Our case adds to existing knowledge and suggests that physicians ask their patients about commercial products that contain formaldehyde when diagnosing autoimmune conditions.