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Cold wave lotion poisoning

Definition

This poisoning is from swallowing, breathing in, or touching cold wave lotion. Cold wave lotion is a hair care product used to create permanent waves ("a perm").

Alternative Names

Thioglycolate poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Thioglycolates

Where Found

• Various cold wave lotions
• Hair permanent (perm) kits

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Lungs
  • Shortness of breath  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Possibly serious damage to the eyes
  • Mouth irritation
• Gastrointestinal
  • Cramping
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Note: If people are allergic to cold wave lotion, they may develop a skin rash and reddening of the skin. Such skin symptoms are also possible with over-use of the product.

Home Treatment

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) 
• Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or prednisone)
• Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
• Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. Skin problems will clear up when the person stops using the product.  If the lotion is swallowed, recovery normally occurs if appropriate treatment is received in time.

Most home permanent kits (cold wave lotions) are watered down (diluted) to avoid poisoning. However, some hair salons may use concentrated forms that need to be diluted prior to use. Exposure to concentrated cold wave lotion will cause significantly more damage than over-the-counter lotion.

Review Date:3/13/2006
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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