Sodium Hydroxide Allergy?

[lily123366]

Hi.For the last few months i have recently been getting a very hot and red face and itchy skin however there seems to be no corrolation as to when i get it.
The doctor has prescribed me with many antihystemens but they have not worked.
But i work in a hairdressers as an assistant and i looked through all our products and most of them contain Sodium Hydroxide, could this be what it is?
Or could it possibly be salicylic acid?
But sometimes i get it at school in my science lab where Sodium Hydroxide is used.
Any advice or tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello again,

How are your symptoms? Are you still having the allergic symptoms?

Have you returned to visit your medical provider?


~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case. .

[lily123366]

Thank you for your reply,

They prescribed Benadryl, Chlorpheniramine, Loratidine and im afraid i cant remember the rest...

I have kept a diary and it just seems to be really random, i could be at the cinema, in a lesson in school or just lying in bed at home. I havent found a pattern in when i get it although, i do thing it may be a chemical as when i get out the shower after using shampoo and soaps i get little rashes on my arm.

I get the same red face/hotness and itching whether im at work or not.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

Based on your provider's decision to try anti-histamines, it appears that they thought that you are/were having some sort of allergic reaction.

Which medication did they prescribe?

Have you kept a diary to document what you are doing before you experience the symptoms? For example, food, drink, work, reactional activities, soap, detergent, etc.

There are are hundreds of chemicals that are found in hairdressing establishments so it can be quite difficult to determine which chemical could be causing this if at all.

Do you have symptoms on days when you do not work?


~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case. .