21 November 2011
A 38 year old woman, Julie McCabe, is in a coma in the intensive care unit at Airedale General Hospital in West Yorkshire after experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsing into a coma shortly after, it was reported, she applied a L’Oreal Preference hair colour kit at her home on 30th October. Her family fear she may have suffered permanent brain damage.
It is possible that she reacted to a chemical that is found many hair dye kits, para-phenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is used to permanently colour light or grey hair. Her family have started a campaign to ban the sale of similar products which are widely used in the UK.
This incident follows other recent reports of women suffering severe allergic reactions to hair dye, including skin rashes, swollen faces and itching skin Earlier this year a young woman, Tabatha McCourt, died after suffering a violent fit 20 minutes after colouring her hair.
Two weeks ago, MP Tony Lloyd, asked the Commons about the number of injuries caused by PPD hair dye products in the past five years. He was told there had been one suspected adverse drug reaction in Britain related to PPD.
Leigh Day and hair dye compensation claims
Lawyers at Leigh Day & Co have successfully represented claimants who have suffered adverse reactions following the use of hair dye.
Michelle Victor, a solicitor who specialises in
defective consumer products and who has helped clients win compensation after suffering injury following the use of hair dye says:
"PPD is currently still being used in hair dyes being distributed in the UK even though it has been banned in several European countries. Many individuals appear to have suffered an adverse reaction to the use of hair dye containing PPD and we call on the Government to review the use of PPD in hair dye whilst doubts remain about its safety."
If you would like to speak to one of our defective consumer products solicitors please phone us on
020 7650 1219.
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