Hair Creams: Understanding the Health Risks

In the final days of December 2023, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) took action by suspending the commercialization of around 1200 hair creams due to reports of eye irritation and temporary blindness.

An earlier decision in March had temporarily halted the sale of all hair creams in the country, but ANVISA subsequently introduced a resolution outlining specific rules for the products' return to the market. However, with the recent emergence of adverse events, ANVISA has once again suspended the sale of products that fail to meet safety standards.

The reported adverse effects include temporary vision loss, headaches, and various eye-related symptoms such as burning, tearing, itching, redness, and swelling. Most incidents were noted in individuals who used these specific products before swimming in the sea, pools, or even going out in the rain.

The banned hair creams contain 20% or more ethoxylated alcohols in their formulations. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, previously prohibited substances used as preservatives, are considered toxic to the skin and mucous membranes. They can potentially cause allergies, burns to the eyes and skin, and possess high pulmonary and neurological toxicity. All these substances act as eye irritants and may lead to chemical keratitis, and in severe cases, corneal ulcers and vision loss.

The Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology has also issued a warning, emphasizing that consumers should not only be aware of the sales prohibition but also carefully check the labels of hair creams to ensure they do not contain these harmful substances.

ANVISA provides a list of creams considered safe, along with links to adverse event notifications reported by healthcare professionals or consumers.

For those who have recently used these hair creams, ANVISA advises thorough hair washing, including tilting the head backward to prevent the product from coming into contact with the eye area. In case of accidental eye contact, immediate washing with plenty of water is recommended.

Users experiencing any adverse effects after using these products should seek medical attention promptly. Treatment may involve individualized approaches, such as ocular occlusion and the use of eye drops containing antibiotics or corticosteroids, among other medications.

Considering that not every patient may have easy access to an ophthalmologist during an emergency, it is crucial for general practitioners to be prepared for initial care. One of the essential measures is eye washing with copious amounts of clean water or saline solution for 5-10 minutes.

Although avoiding these creams is preferable, it is equally important to disseminate this information, encouraging consumers to read labels and opt for safe cosmetics.

Source:
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/hair-creams-do-you-know-health-risks-2024a10001ni?ecd=mkm_ret_240127_mscpmrk-OUS_IntStories_etid6260491&uac=187436AV&impID=6260491.