Act I: Scene I: Ignorance is far from bliss

Since the day I colored my hair, life has been like a Shakespearean play.

Act I begins on August 12th the day I walked into the salon to try and roll back time. Women these days have bought into the advertising campaign that aging is unacceptable and our natural appearance is inadequate. We were naïve to think that the chemicals in cosmetics and body products had been adequately tested and then approved by our government. We all have been unaware that the chemical companies were putting untested compounds in the products that not only adults have put on their bodies, but have placed on our children. We have been ignorant to the FDA's ineffective process of testing and regulating hair dye, among numerous other products. If I had only known that the government had placed money above the safety of its citizens, my story would be much different.

Act I: Scene II: Know the enemy

Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is an ingredient found in most hair dye whether it is purchased at a store or an upscale salon. There are a few brands that do not contain this ingredient but may contain other harmful or highly allergic substances such as nickel. What is PPD? It is an aniline dye also known as a coal tar dye. Basically, it is petroleum. What is it used for? It is a substance used in rubber chemicals, photo developer, oil, gasoline, ink, textile dyes, dark cosmetics and hair dye.

This ingredient goes by many names such as PPD, 1,4-Benzenediamine and numerous other aliases. For a list of alternate names please see http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.acd/ppd.html . The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stated that you should "prevent skin contact" with PPD in order to avoid the "symptoms: Irritation pharynx, larynx; bronchial asthma; sensitization dermatitis" (NIOSH, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0495.html ). Recently, PPD received bad press when it was used to darken henna tattoos and caused numerous disfiguring scars. The FDA states "So-called "black henna" may contain the "coal tar" color p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. This ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The only legal use of PPD in cosmetics is as a hair dye. It is not approved for direct application to the skin" (FDA, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-tatt.html ). However, when most hair dye is applied it does come in direct contact with the scalp and quite often touches the skin on the forehead and ears. Hair dye is in direct contact with the skin for sometimes up to 30 minutes. The FDA apparently feels that it is unsafe to use PPD for a tattoo but safe enough to apply directly onto your scalp.

Act I: Scene III: More than you bargained for

The most common allergic reactions are dermatitis of the eyes, ears, scalp and face, which may include a rash, extreme swelling and a severe burning sensation on the scalp. The most severe reactions are cross-sensitization and in rare cases death. Cross-sensitization means that it not only makes you sensitive to PPD but you become responsive to all of its chemical cousins. This includes most textile dyes, pen ink, gasoline, oil, food dyes, medication dyes, preservatives (Parabens) and some drugs (all caine drugs (Benzocaine, Novacaine), Sulfonamides, sulfones, sulfa drugs, and Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)). One last cross-reactor would be fragrances since so many contain related chemicals. You can see from this list that if you are cross-sensitized as I was that you become allergic to just about everything found in modern society.
For a complete list of reactions please see http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.acd/ppd.html .

Now that I am cross-sensitized, exposure to any of the items listed above can cause me to have a blister rash, breathing difficulties and even anaphylactic shock which could result in death. I am unable to go into most buildings and must stay away from everyone that is wearing fragrances (shampoo, fabric softener, perfume). I have to carry an Epi-Pen at all times in case I go into anaphylactic shock and a medic alert bracelet has become a permanent part of my wardrobe. In a medical emergency there is little they could do since I am allergic to most medicines because they contain dye and/or preservatives.

Act I: Scene IV: Life in a bubble

If you have a minor reaction (slight burning, itching scalp or minor facial swelling) these can be treated by antihistamines or steroid shampoo. Most likely your reactions will become more dramatic with each coloring.

Cross-sensitization could occur the first or the 25th time you color. Doing the patch test 72 hours prior to dyeing your hair could give you advanced warning of an acute reaction. Most people at home or in salons don't do the required FDA patch test. They believe no complications last time ensures you will be fine this time. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you become cross-sensitized you usually have symptoms within 24 hours of the coloring. Severe swelling of the eyes, ears, or entire face and possibly intense burning of the scalp (to the point that standing under a cold shower for hours is the only relief) may occur. You may find, as I did, that products you put on your body before will now burn your skin. Your shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, detergent, fabric softener and even your soap may cause severe irritation. Almost all commercial products contain ingredients that can cross-react with a PPD allergy, such as, the preservative Paraben or dye.

You will need to contact a Dermatologist immediately to be properly diagnosed with a PPD allergy. They will advise you of all of the chemicals you will have to avoid. You may also be referred to an Allergist/Immunologist to perform tests to see if your immune system has been damaged with the exposure. These specialists will tell you avoidance is the only way to handle this allergy. This means you have to avoid all places which may expose you to the chemicals you are now cross-sensitized to. For example: cleaners, carpets, pesticides, gas, oil, and fragrances. I have found avoiding fragrances to be the most complicated. The average person walking around has placed so many chemical fragrances on them before they leave the house; their soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, gel, hair spray, shaving cream, makeup, scented detergent, fabric softener and they top it off with perfume or cologne. It is impossible to go into any public building and avoid all of the chemicals they use to clean or the fragrances on the staff or patrons.

If you are cross-sensitized you are usually referred to an Environmental Medicine Specialist. This specialist will guide you on the life-style changes you will have to make due to this allergy. Depending on the level of the allergy you may have to change all of your linens, clothes and towels to organic cotton or hemp which may have to be color free to avoid skin reactions to dye. Some of your furniture that has polyester fiberfill (mattress and couch) may have to leave the house. You will also find that almost all of your medicines from prescription to over the counter will be off limits due to dyes and preservatives.

Your grocery bill may triple because you can only consume organic food to avoid preservatives and dye. Reactions may occur to the building materials of your home, such as carpet, paints, sealants, and tar based roofing material. Currently, it runs about $250 a square foot to build an environmentally safe home for this allergy, which does not include the purchase of land. Most people can not afford to buy a home of this expense so they may stay sick from reactions to their current home. You may be advised to purchase an infrared sauna to try and reduce the severity of your allergic reactions over time. The average cost of these saunas is around $3,000.

Even though Environmental Medicine doctors practice traditional medicine they are not readily acknowledged in the medical community. They have come under attack for speaking out on the subject of chemically related illnesses, primarily by chemical and pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, most insurance companies will cover a chiropractor before they will cover an Environmental Medicine doctor. This causes the victims of hair dye cross-sensitization to pay cash for their medical care, despite having insurance.

Act I: Scene V: Justice is not only blind it's bought and paid for

Do the chemical manufacturers and the hair color companies know the dangers of this chemical? I asked for permission to include the Material Safety Data Sheet on P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) from one of the manufacturers, Dupont, and was declined. I strongly encourage you to review the Dupont MSDS at http://msds.dupont.com (Once the MSDS search comes up you will need to put in United States/English and in the MSDS block 1067CR to retrieve the PPD MSDS sheet.)

Most people think the FDA is minding the store and ensures the safety of hair color. Reality is that the "FDA is responsible for overseeing the safety of cosmetics sold in this country and can prohibit the sale of any cosmetics