HAIR RELAXER INGESTION - A NEW TREND

Although the health cafe system has done much to reduce the incidence of ingestion of such alkalis as drain and oven cleaners, in recent yea rs we have seen an overwhelming increase in the incidence of hair rela xer ingestion. In a 5-year review (1987 to 1992) of 48 cases of causti c ingestion, 15 cases involved alkaline hair-relaxing agents. This ret rospective study was undertaken to evaluate the agents ingested, the p resenting signs and symptoms, the diagnostic procedures, and the outco mes in those 15 cases. Oral cavity and lip burns were common in these children, but none of the 15 had significant esophageal bums. Educatio n of the medical and lay community about the risk of hair relaxer inge stion should be undertaken to reverse this worrisome trend.