title: Anaphylactic reaction after ongoing exposure to hair glue: a novel case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Latex allergy is thought to be present in up to 6.5% of the general population, and can be much higher among those with chronic exposure. It is, however, uncommonly associated with severe anaphylactic reactions. Hair-care practices, such as the application of a hair weave, are a potential cause of latex-related anaphylaxis because the adhesives often contain natural rubber latex.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the first case in the emergency medicine literature of successful treatment of a patient with airway compromise secondary to hair glue exposure. This case involved a 29-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with severe angioedema and airway compromise. The patient had recently had an adhesive substance applied to her scalp for a hair weave placement. The patient did respond initially to antihistamine and alpha-adrenergic medication, however, because the allergen could not be removed, she relapsed, was subsequently intubated, and admitted to the intensive care unit. The latex-containing hair glue was removed over a period of several hours using an oil-based hair-conditioning product. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This unique and potentially lethal situation required innovative management. Successful resolution of this case required a high degree of cultural literacy leading to the correct diagnosis and treatment, and utilization of resources outside of the health care field. Clinicians treating patients in areas where similar hair-care practices are prevalent should be aware of this pathology, and consider similar management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Burla
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brody
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Favot
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D006203:Hair Preparations; D007840:Latex
keywords: allergic reaction; anaphylaxis; hair glue; latex; natural rubber latex allergy