Polymer fume fever-like syndrome due to hairspray inhalation.
Inhalation of fluoropolymer pyrolysis products causes a self-limited illness termed polymer fume fever; symptoms include fever, chills, myalgias and non-productive cough, and are easily mistaken for an acute viral illness. We report a 29-y-old male who developed fever and pneumonitis shortly after the inhalation of pyrolyzed hairspray. Chest x-rays showed pictures consistent with pneumonitis. The patient was treated solely with supplemental oxgen, and his symptoms resolved over 24 h. Inhalation of pyrolyzed hairspray may cause a syndrome resembling polymer fume fever.
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health Medical Center, Colorado 80202, USA.
Joao H
JH
Delgado
Javier C
JC
Waksman
D000328:Adult; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011108:Polymers; D013577:Syndrome
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006203:Hair Preparations; D011108:Polymers