Hair dye poisoning and the toxic effects of paraphenylenediamine

Self-harm with suicidal intent is on the rise. Poison consumption is the most common means of suicide, but consumption of hair dye is comparatively rarer. The hair dye contains various chemicals of which paraphenelynenediamine are the active coloring ingredient. The paraphenylenediamine undergoes various chemical reactions and forms a variety of toxic compounds.

A twenty-six-year-old lady had consumed hair dye and expired within a short span of time. At autopsy, there was a characteristic facial and neck edema. The laryngeal lumen showed complete obstruction by the edematous glottis. The pathophysiology of paraphenylenediamine producing organ dysfunction explained in brief.

The concentration of toxic compounds in hair dye should be regulated. The health care workers and the public should be made aware of the management and ill effects of consumption of hair dye.