Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Hair loss from application of Veterinary Product
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
 |
Hair loss from application of Veterinary Product
by magcpa15425, May 10, 2006 12:00AM
My 72 year old mother's hair completely fell out over a two week period. She had scalp biopseys and blood tests which were negative. She now remembers that the man who comes to her home to style her hair used a new product on it for approx. 4-5 times. She told him to stop because it made her hair brittle. It was shortly thereafter that her hair fell out. We found the bottle of it, and it was an extremely old bottle of a product called Humilac - a Veterinary Product!!!!! We cannot believe he did this and will not return phone calls. (A family friend for over 30 years). The product is a thin yellowish liquid that has a strong ammonia smell. I estimate the bottle to be at least 10 years old. The distributor on the bottle quit distributing it 4 years ago. It contains propylene glycol, urea, benzalkonium chloride. It is for conditioning pet hair and the label says not for human use. I guess we can now can assume it was an allergic reation to this. My questions are this: Does hair grow back after an allergic reaction to something like this? Her scalp does not look red or burnt. She noticed no discomfort when it was falling out. Could these old expired chemicals combined and formed a more toxic form of the compound? What should we do? We are all in shock and really don't know where to start. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 10, 2006 12:00AM
, May 10, 2006 12:00AM
I am really not sure about why your grandmother's hair fell out, but I can't see any connection with the veterinary conditioning product. Even severe burns wouldn't make a whole head of hair fall out, and it's clear the scalp wasn't burned.
My best guess would be alopecia totalis, an extensive form of alopecia areata. The cause is unknown, and the best course of action is to wait it out and use a wig to maintain appearance.
I suggest you ask the doctor who performed the biopsy whether the result is compatible with alopecia totalis.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
My best guess would be alopecia totalis, an extensive form of alopecia areata. The cause is unknown, and the best course of action is to wait it out and use a wig to maintain appearance.
I suggest you ask the doctor who performed the biopsy whether the result is compatible with alopecia totalis.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
Medical Information
Doctors and Partners
Dr. Rockoff