Ryan Briggs from Blackburn experienced a severe allergic reaction to hair dye that caused his head to swell dramatically, making him look like the animated character “Megamind.” The incident began when Briggs, 27, used black hair dye at his mother’s house to cover some grey hairs. Shortly after application, he felt a burning sensation on his scalp but initially dismissed it as normal. However, the next morning, he woke up with a scaly rash around his hairline, and his forehead began to swell throughout the day.
As the swelling worsened, Briggs was sent home from work and advised to go to the hospital, where he was told to return if his condition deteriorated. By the next day, the swelling had intensified to the point where he could only see out of one eye, prompting an ambulance ride to the hospital. Medical staff identified the cause as an allergic reaction to paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a common chemical in hair dyes. Briggs was prescribed 25 tablets a day to reduce the swelling and stayed in the hospital for 13 hours.
The reaction left Briggs’ girlfriend shocked and unable to look at him due to his “balloon head.” Although he has since recovered, he now has scabs on his scalp and is urging others to always perform a patch test before using hair dye. “It could have been worse,” he said, noting that the swelling was moving towards his neck, which could have obstructed his airways. He emphasized the importance of patch testing, saying, “Always do a patch test. It could have been worse, it was going down into my neck and everything.”
Despite the ordeal, Briggs is now feeling better and his face has returned to normal, though he remains vigilant about the potential dangers of allergic reactions to hair dye. His story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks associated with not performing a patch test and the severe consequences that can follow.
