Hair dyes and tints

Home treatment:

Wash the area very well with soap and water if the skin is affected.

If the dye was swallowed call the Poison Control center for guidance and give the person milk or water to help dilute it.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

These products are not very toxic. The concentration of the various ingredients will probably cause no harm. Long-term use may cause some liver damage.