Connect with us

Health and Wellness

Have you had an allergic reaction to braids? Here’s what you need to know

Published

on

Getty Images/AzmanL

Braids are one of the wanted protective hairstyles. Whether you have a cute box braided bob or an extended and wavy boho style, the sensation of leaving your chair with fresh tresses and knowing that you might be taking an prolonged break from styling your personal hair is unmatched. Years of braiding have taught a lot of us to be patient with the tenderness that usually appears after a visit. But when the discomfort becomes more severe, a much bigger problem may arise, reminiscent of an allergic reaction. Recently, TikTok has exploded with videos showing first-hand what this looks like.

Across the country, individuals are sharing clips of their experiences with allergic reactions after braiding their hair. Swelling, hives and unbearable itching are a few of the most typical symptoms people face. While these issues is probably not recent, they’ve sparked necessary discussion concerning the composition of hair braiding products and the importance of scalp health when installing protective hairstyles.

Several videos have gone viral on TikTok claiming that the purity of synthetic hair is the predominant explanation for allergic reactions. But what exactly does this mean within the context of bundled hair and the way do the symptoms manifest themselves? Since the cold months are a preferred time for protective styling, we’re getting to the basis of this problem to higher understand how to cope with it and forestall it from progressing.

What does an allergic reaction to braids appear like?

We all know the pain of a brand new braid. Even for a brief time frame, it could possibly be troublesome to cope with. An allergic reaction takes discomfort to one other level. “Itching, redness, or an eczema-like rash on the scalp are common symptoms of an allergic reaction to braids,” she says Nana Boakyemedical doctor, board-certified dermatologist and founder Dermatology Bergen and eponymous skincare brand, Dr. Say Beauty. But this may occasionally be just the start. He explains that in additional severe cases, folliculitis, a condition called folliculitis, may develop, leading to tender bumps or breakouts on the scalp.

Experiencing these symptoms for the primary time will be confusing for most individuals. In many videos shared on TikTok, women admitted that they had experienced similar problems up to now, not realizing that they were developing an allergy. For Kadidja Dossofounder Dosso Beauty, leader in hypoallergenic hair braiding and extensions, this experience was an eye opener for me. “After braiding my hair, I noticed I had little bumps all over my forehead and my scalp was burning and burning, which I hadn’t felt before,” she says. “I knew it had to be an allergic reaction.”

What causes an allergic reaction to braids?

According to Boakye, allergic reactions will be triggered by several various factors, including the products used and the extension cords themselves. Gel and mousse are sometimes used when braiding, and although these may cause a reaction, the issue is usually the braiding of the hair. “I had no doubts and immediately knew that it should be hair, because that is where the reactions happen. The problem affected not only the scalp and hair roots, but additionally the neck and shoulders,” says Dosso. Many women on TikTok have an analogous story, with hives, rashes and inflammation on their foreheads, cheeks and ears where their hair is falling out.

Braids of any style often require hair extensions to add length and volume to the hairstyle, and most frequently synthetic extensions are used. Jodi LogerfoDNP, APRN, FNP-BC, board-certified in family medicine and dermatology, explains that synthetic hair extensions are typically made out of fibers reminiscent of kanekalon or toyokalon and will contain chemical additives or dyes. “Kanekalon is a common culprit in allergic reactions, and in some people the skin may react negatively to it, causing inflammation, irritation and other allergic symptoms,” he says.

Boakye echoes this, noting that “synthetic hair is usually product of materials reminiscent of acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride, which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are known irritants and are even classified as carcinogens, making them potential culprits of allergic reactions.

How to avoid an allergic reaction?

Getting rid of your hair braiding allergy is less complicated than you think. The first step is to use clean hair – and no, that does not imply it’s freshly washed. Kanekalon is inexpensive and versatile for tressing, and ridding it of poisons reduces the chance of unwanted effects. “Pre-washing synthetic hair with a clarifying cleanser or soaking it in apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help remove some chemical irritants,” says Boakye.

Washing with ACV can be certainly one of the highest recommendations on TikTok for people experiencing a reaction. IN one movie, with over 9 million views, the TikToker who cut off her braids after just five days shows how to soak her braids in apple cider vinegar. Other videos boast the advantages of rinsing the scalp with ACV to alleviate symptoms while the braids are still in place.

Purchasing pre-cleaned hair extensions, reminiscent of Dosso Beauty’s hypoallergenic braid hair extensions, is one other method people select to avoid the potential of an allergic reaction. As a dermatologically tested product, the extensions are suitable for temperamental and sensitive skin types.

In addition to hypoallergenic products, Logerfo notes that human hair extensions are less likely to contain irritating chemicals and can also reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.

Relieving symptoms

Scalp care is important when wearing braids. However, that is much more necessary when allergic reactions are involved. To protect your scalp, Boakye recommends applying soothing creams before installation and ensuring your braids aren’t tied too tightly, as excess tension can worsen irritation and lead to further damage. It can be really useful not to wear this style for long periods of time. If you have experienced an allergic reaction up to now, it is suggested that you keep your braids in for a maximum of 4 weeks to minimize long-term exposure to potential irritants and maintain a healthy scalp.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Health and Wellness

Jury awarded $310 million to parents of teenager who died after falling on a ride at Florida amusement park – Essence

Published

on

By

Sun Sentinel/Getty Images

The family of Tire Sampson, the 14-yr-old who tragically died on an amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida, in 2022, has been awarded $310 million in a civil lawsuit.

Tire, who was visiting ICON Park along with his family on March 24, 2022, fell from the FreeFall drop tower. Although he was taken to a nearby hospital, he didn’t survive his injuries.

Now, greater than two years later, a jury has held the vehicle manufacturer, Austria-based Funtime Handels, responsible for the accident and awarded the Tire family $310 million. According to reports from local news stations WFTV AND KSDKthe jury reached its verdict after about an hour of deliberation.

Tyre’s parents will each receive $155 million, according to attorney spokesman Michael Haggard.

Attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, who represented Tyre’s family, shared their thoughts on this landmark decision via X (formerly Twitter). “This ruling is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” they said in a statement.

Lawyers stressed that Tyre’s death was attributable to “gross negligence and a failure to put safety before profits.” They added that the ride’s manufacturer had “neglected its duty to protect passengers” and that the substantial award ensured it could “face the consequences of its decisions.”

Crump and Jackson said they hope the result will encourage change throughout the theme park industry. “We hope this will spur the entire industry to enforce more stringent safety measures,” they said. “Tire heritage will provide a safer future for drivers around the world.”

An investigation previously found that Tyre’s harness was locked through the descent, but he dislodged from his seat through the 430-foot fall when the magnets engaged. Tire’s death was ruled the result of “multiple injuries and trauma.”

ICON Park said at the time that it could “fully cooperate” with the authorities.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Tireless HIV/AIDS advocate A. Cornelius Baker dies

Published

on

By

HIV/AIDS Advocate, A. Cornelius Baker


A. Cornelius Baker, a tireless advocate of HIV and AIDS testing, research and vaccination, died Nov. 8 at his home in Washington, D.C., of hypertensive, atherosclerotic heart problems, in response to his partner, Gregory Nevins.

As previously reported, Baker was an early supporter for people living with HIV and AIDS within the Nineteen Eighties, when misinformation and fear-mongering in regards to the disease were rampant.

According to Douglas M. Brooks, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy under President Obama, it was Baker’s Christian faith that guided him toward compassion for others.

“He was very kind, very warm and inclusive – his circles, both professional and personal, were the most diverse I have ever seen, and he was guided by his Christian values,” Brooks told the outlet. “His ferocity was on display when people were marginalized, rejected or forgotten.”

In 1995, when he was executive director of the National AIDS Association, Baker pushed for June 27 to be designated National HIV Testing Day.

In 2012, he later wrote on the web site of the Global Health Advisor for which he was a technical advisor that: “These efforts were intended to help reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing and normalize it as part of regular screening.”

https://twitter.com/NBJContheMove/status/1856725113967632663?s=19

Baker also feared that men like himself, black gay men, and other men from marginalized communities were disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS.

Baker pressured the Clinton administration to incorporate black and Latino people in clinical drug trials, and in 1994 he pointedly told the Clinton administration that he was bored with hearing guarantees but seeing no motion.

According to Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings, yes that daring attitude that defines Baker’s legacy in the world of ​​HIV/AIDS promotion.

“Cornelius was a legendary leader in the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ people and all people living with HIV,” Jennings said in a press release. “In the more than twenty years that I knew him, I was continually impressed not only by how effective he was as a leader, but also by how he managed to strike the balance between being fierce and kind at the same time. His loss is devastating.”

Jennings continued: “Cornelius’ leadership can’t be overstated. For many years, he was one in all the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS warriors, working locally, nationally and internationally. No matter where he went, he proudly supported the HIV/AIDS community from the Nineteen Eighties until his death, serving in various positions including the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Association of Persons with Disabilities AIDS, and the Whitman-Walker Clinic . Jennings explained.

Jennings concluded: “His career also included several honors, including being the first recipient of the American Foundation for AIDS Research Foundation’s organization-building Courage Award. Our communities have lost a pillar in Cornelius, and as we mourn his death, we will be forever grateful for his decades of service to the community.”

Kaye Hayes, deputy assistant secretary for communicable diseases and director of the Office of Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Policy, in her comment about his legacy, she called Baker “the North Star.”.

“It is difficult to overstate the impact his loss had on public health, the HIV/AIDS community or the place he held in my heart personally,” Hayes told Hiv.gov. “He was pushing us, charging us, pulling us, pushing us. With his unwavering commitment to the HIV movement, he represented the north star, constructing coalitions across sectors and dealing with leaders across the political spectrum to deal with health disparities and advocate for access to HIV treatment and look after all. He said, “The work isn’t done, the charge is still there, move on – you know what you have to do.” It’s in my ear and in my heart in the case of this job.

Hayes added: “His death is a significant loss to the public health community and to the many others who benefited from Cornelius’ vigilance. His legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us all.”

Baker is survived by his mother, Shirley Baker; his partner Nevins, who can be senior counsel at Lambda Legal; his sisters Chandrika Baker, Nadine Wallace and Yavodka Bishop; in addition to his two brothers, Kareem and Roosevelt Dowdell; along with the larger HIV/AIDS advocacy community.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Bovaer is added to cow feed to reduce methane emissions. Does it pass into milk and meat? And is it harmful to humans?

Published

on

By

There are growing concerns in regards to the use of feed supplements, Bowar 10to reduce methane production in cows.

Bovaer 10 consists of silicon dioxide (mainly sand), propylene glycol (food stabilizer approved by Food Safety Australia New Zealand) and lively substance 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).

There has been an enormous amount of misinformation in regards to the safety of 3-NOP, with some milk from herds fed this additive being labeled “Frankenmilk”. Others feared it could get to humans through beef.

The most significant thing is that 3-NOP is secure. Let’s clear up some major misconceptions.

Why do we want to limit methane production?

In our attempts to limit global warming, we’ve placed the best emphasis on CO₂ because the major man-made greenhouse gas. But methane is also a greenhouse gas, and although we produce less of it, it is: a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO₂.

Agriculture is the largest a man-made source of methane. As cattle herds expand to meet our growing demand for meat and milk, reducing methane production from cows is a vital way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are several ways to do that. Stopping bacteria within the stomachs of cows that produce methane one approach is to produce methane.

The methane produced by cows and sheep doesn’t come from the animals themselves, but from the microbes living of their digestive systems. 3-NO stop the enzymes that perform the last step of methane synthesis in these microorganisms.

3-NOP is not the one compound tested as a feed additive. Australian product based on seaweed, Rumin8for instance, it is also in development. Saponins, soap-like chemicals present in plants, and essential oils as well has been examined.

However, 3-NOP is currently one of the popular effective treatments.

Nitrooxypropanol structure: red balls are oxygen, gray carbon, blue nitrogen and white hydrogen.
PubChem

But is not it poison?

There are concerns on social media that Bovaer is “poisoning our food.”

But, as we are saying in toxicology, it’s the dose that makes the poison. For example, arsenic is deadly 2–20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

In contrast, 3-NOP was not lethal on the doses utilized in safety studies, up to 600 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight. At a dose of 100 mg per kg body weight in rats, it didn’t cause any adversarial effects.

What about reproductive issues?

The effect of 3-NOP on the reproductive organs has generated numerous commentary.

Studies in rats and cows showed that doses of 300–500 mg per kg body weight caused: contraction of the ovaries and testicles.

In comparison, to achieve the identical exposure in humans, a 70 kg human would want to eat 21–35 grams (about 2 tablespoons) of pure 3-NOP every day for a lot of weeks to see this effect.

No human will likely be exposed to this amount because 3-NOP doesn’t pass into milk – is fully metabolized within the cow’s intestines.

No cow will likely be exposed to these levels either.

The cow licks itself
Cows will not be exposed to levels tested on animals in laboratory studies.
Ground photo/Shutterstock

What about cancer?

3-NOP is not genotoxic or mutagenicwhich implies it cannot damage DNA. Thus, the results of 3-NOP are dose-limited, meaning that small doses will not be harmful, while very high doses are (unlike radiation where there is no secure dose).

Scientists found that at a dose of 300 mg per kilogram of body weight benign tumors of the small intestine of female ratsbut not male rats, after 2 years of every day consumption. At a dose of 100 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight, no tumors were observed.

Cows eat lower than 2 grams of Bovaer 10 per day (of which only 10% or 0.2 grams is 3-NOP). This is about 1,000 times lower than the appropriate every day intake 1 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight per day for a cow weighing 450 kg.

This level of consumption will likely be not the result in cancer or any of them other adversarial effects.

So how much are people exposed to?

Milk and meat consumers will likely be exposed to zero 3-NOP. 3-NOP doesn’t penetrate milk and meat: is completely metabolized within the cow’s intestines.

Farmers could also be exposed to small amounts of the feed additive, and industrial employees producing 3-NOP will potentially be exposed to larger amounts. Farmers and industrial employees already wear personal protective equipment to reduce exposure to other agricultural chemicals – and it is advisable to do that with Bovear 10 as well.

Milk
3-NOP doesn’t penetrate milk and meat.
Shutterstock

How widely has it been tested?

3-NOP has been in development for 15 years and has been subject to multiple reviews by European Food Safety Authority, UK Food Safety Authority AND others.

It has been extensively tested over months of exposure to cattle and has produced no unintended effects. Some studies actually say so improves the standard of milk and meat.

Bovaer was approved for use in dairy cattle by the European Union from 2022 and Japan in 2024. It is also utilized in many other countries, including: in beef products, amongst others Australia.

A really small amount of 3-NOP enters the environment (lower than 0.2% of the dose taken), no accumulates and is easily decomposed subsequently, it doesn’t pose a threat to the environment.

Since humans will not be exposed to 3-NOP through milk and meat, long-term exposure is not an issue.

What does Bill Gates have to do with this?

Bill Gates has invested in a distinct feed processing method for methane, Australian seaweed-based Rumin8. But he has nothing to do with Bovaer 10.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded research grants to the corporate producing 3-NOP for malaria control researchnot for 3-NOP.

The bottom line is that adding 3-NOP to animal feed doesn’t pose any risk to consumers, animals or the environment.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending