A distressing incident recently unfolded when a woman experienced organ failure following the use of a chemical found in hair straightening products. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported feelings of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and back pain shortly after using products containing glyoxylic acid, as reported by Mail Online.
Despite having no prior health issues, the woman described experiencing a burning sensation on her scalp whenever these chemicals were applied. Doctors cautioned that glyoxylic acid and its derivatives, such as glycolic acid, commonly found in ‘Brazilian’ and ‘formaldehyde-free’ hair straightening treatments, could penetrate the skin and travel to internal organs, potentially forming crystals that disrupt kidney function.
This case, documented in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that the woman underwent hair treatments three times between June 2020 and July 2022 at the same salon. Each time, she experienced acute kidney injury shortly afterward, characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function.
Hospital tests revealed elevated levels of creatinine, a waste product in the blood, indicating kidney dysfunction. Although the specifics of her treatment remain unclear, interventions likely included intravenous fluids and dialysis to support kidney function.
The woman, hailing from Tunisia, had utilized a cream containing ten percent glyoxylic acid. Doctors hypothesized that the acid’s breakdown within the kidneys led to the formation of elongated crystals, obstructing normal organ function.
Glyoxylic acid functions by temporarily altering hair structure, enabling hairstylists to transform frizzy hair into sleek strands. This incident underscores the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with chemical hair treatments and emphasizes the need for caution when using such products.