Hair Dye Poisoning at Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery of Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan, 2002- 2007

Background: Hair dye poisoning is the major cause of intoxication in developing countries with high morbidity and mortality rates among the patients. The present study was conducted to determine the clinical presentation, complications and the case fatality rate of hair dye poisoning patients at OHNS (Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery) of Khartoum teaching hospital in Sudan. Methods: This was a fiveyear retrospective study, which was conducted at OHNS of Khartoum Teaching Hospital in Sudan from 2002 to 2007. Data were retrieved from patients’ notes kept in the Medical Record Department through a welldesigned data sheet. Results: A total of 80 cases was studied. Females predominated in relation to male (92.5% and 7.5%, respectively) who ingested hair dye. The majority of patients were between 21-40 years of age. The victims commonly presented with angioneurotic edema, for which an emergency tracheostomy was done for all patients. Acute renal failure and arrhythmia were the most commonly reported complications of hair dye poisoning. Hair dye poisoning complications were the main cause of deaths among the patients, leading to a case fatality rate of 5%. Conclusion: Hair dye poisoning leading to angioneurotic edema was the most common emergency clinical presentation in our hospital especially among female. Emergency tracheostomy is needed for almost all patients with hair dye intoxication. Case fatality rate among hair dye intoxication victims was high. Trade authorities should restrict Hair-dye in the local markets and healthy alternatives should be promoted for female cosmetic practice. Health authorities should invest more in training of all doctors in the emergency management of hair dye poisoning and its complications.