19-year-old woman has a near fatal allergic reaction to hair dye, causing her head to swell over 7cm

A woman almost died after an adverse reaction to hair dye made her head swell to the shape of a “light bulb”. Warning: Confronting images.

A French woman said she had a “light bulb head” after suffering a near-fatal allergic reaction to a chemical often found in darker-coloured hair dyes.

Estelle, 19, almost died because she dyed her hair. Picture: Maxppp/ZUMA/Australscope

A highly allergenic substance (PPD) is present in all colours. Picture: Maxppp/ZUMA/Australscope

The woman, identified only as Estelle, claims a chemical in the dye called Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) caused her allergic reaction, she told French publication Le Parisien, according to Yahoo Lifestyle’s translation.

Though the 19-year-old claims she only tested a small amount of the product, her scalp almost “immediately” became irritated after application, she reportedly told the publication. The swelling began shortly after.

'The woman, identified only as Estelle, said her face swelled up almost immediately. Picture: Le Parisien

‘I do not want this to happen to others,” says Estelle. Picture: Le Parisien

Though Estelle said she took an antihistamine to help with the swelling and irritation, the next morning her head had already enlarged — growing to 63cm compared to an average 55.8cm. Her tongue also swelled, she added.

“I could not breathe. I had a light bulb head,” she told Le Parisien.

The woman said she went to the emergency room, where she was given a shot of adrenaline. She stayed overnight at the hospital and has since recovered and the swelling has gone down.

The PPD chemical is commonly found in dark-coloured hair dyes and makeup, as well as henna tattoos, according to Yahoo Lifestyle.

An allergic reaction to the chemical can cause “fatal complications,” such as the breakdown of muscle tissue, known as rhabdomyolysis, respiratory distress and renal failure, among other side effects, according to report in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.

Estelle has since recovered from the ordeal. Picture: Le Parisien

“I almost died,” Estelle added. “I do not want this to happen to others.”

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished with permission.