INGESTION OF CAUSTIC HAIR RELAXER - IS ENDOSCOPY NECESSARY

Hair relaxer, a commercially available alkaline product, is commonly t he offending agent in caustic ingestion. These patients often experien ce oral cavity and facial burns; however, no clinically significant es ophageal injuries have been reported. Therefore, we questioned the the rapeutic and economic efficacy of the ''standard treatment protocol'' that includes hospitalization and endoscopic evaluation. Twenty-six pa tients over a 7-year period presented to our institution having ingest ed hair relaxer. Presenting signs and symptoms, esophageal findings, a nd cost of the standard treatment protocol were reviewed. Also, we ana lyzed the caustic potential and current packaging of hair relaxer. Our findings support modifications in the standard treatment protocol for hair relaxer ingestion including elimination of hospitalization and e ndoscopy in most patients. We also question compliance with childproof packaging laws and suggest avenues for prevention of hair relaxer ing estion.