A woman has shared how she feared she would die after suffering an allergic reaction to hair dye.
Jordan Blignaut, 20, a waitress from South Africa, was left in ‘excruciating’ pain after a trip to the hairdressers’ went horribly wrong back in November 2021.
After transitioning from blonde to brown tresses, within four hours, Jordan started to notice a bright red, itchy swelling on her scalp.
Soon after, her entire face swelled up and her chest went tight as she was unable to drink, eat and struggled to breathe – as the young woman was rushed to hospital.
‘I honestly thought I might die, which made me anxious and emotionally stressed and upset because I thought this could be my last day alive,’ Jordan said.
Jordan Blignaut, 20, a waitress from South Africa, has shared how she feared she would die after suffering an allergic reaction to hair dye (left, before her allergic reaction, and right, while in hospital)
After transitioning from blonde to brown tresses, within four hours, Jordan started to notice a bright red, itchy swelling on her scalp
Jordan said: ‘During the actual hair appointment, I felt relaxed and it was a calm environment.
‘They [staff] were all very nice to me.
‘I’ve done blonde highlights twice before but never reacted besides having an itchy scalp, so it was a massive shock to see me blow up especially during the treatment of dyeing my hair dark, I felt no itch, pain or discomfort.’
However hours later thought, her face began to swell, with Jordan explaining: ‘Everyone was so worried about me and shed a few tears too.
Jordan said that during the actual hair appointment, she felt ‘relaxed and it was a calm environment’ (pictured before the allergic reaction)
The 20-year-old waitress said she had often had her hair dyed different coloured (pictured left and right) without having an allergic reaction
‘My sisters and I are really close and they are young, so thinking that I was about to die made me extremely depressed not knowing if I was going to see them grow up and be there for them through the rest of their life.
‘I physically wasn’t able to walk, lie down, sit up, I couldn’t do anything.
‘Feeling and being so close to dying left a terrible emotional state on me. And I don’t wish anyone to go through what I went through.’
While in hospital, Jordan was placed on numerous drips and antibiotics to help ease the unbearable pain she was in.
The 20-year-old said it was a ‘massive shock’ to suffer the allergic reaction while dying her hair dark
She was also placed on a heart monitor and given oxygen to help her breathe.
The swelling eventually became so severe, she couldn’t fit into her own clothes.
Jordan said: ‘I was rushed to the ER and was code red, I felt so faint my dad had to help me walk until I got put into a bed.
‘They did multiple blood tests and I got put on to a lot of drips, antibiotics, heavy pain meds and cortisone.
Jordan rushed to hospital, where she was placed on numerous drips and antibiotics to help ease the unbearable pain she was in (pictured, on her way to hospital)
However, when she arrived at hospital, she was rushed to the ER and was code red because she felt ‘so faint’ (pictured left, before the allergic reaction, and right, after)
‘Nothing helped the pain I was in.
‘Going through the hospital I felt so embarrassed because everyone was just staring at me and all I had was tears rolling down my face.’
Jordan remained at the Mediclinic Morningside Hospital for over a week, while being closely monitored by staff.
However, it took 14 days for the swelling – which had since spread to her whole body – to fully go down.
The severity of the attack came as a huge shock to Jordan as she had previously dyed her hair before, with no issue.
Jordan remained at the Mediclinic Morningside Hospital for over a week, while being closely monitored by staff
She hasn’t reached out to the salon since the incident, as she just wanted to put the ordeal behind her.
She added: ‘I didn’t speak to them after the reaction as I knew I had sensitive skin but I didn’t think I would have an anaphylactic attack and blow up.
‘I went through so much trauma during the reaction and hospital stay that I just wanted to leave it all behind me and move on from the situation.’
While she says the incident was extremely traumatic, Jordan is now able to look back and laugh at what happened.
While she says the incident was extremely traumatic, Jordan is now able to look back and laugh at what happened
She added: ‘Looking back at all the photos I laugh about it because of how ridiculous I looked.
‘And every time I’m sad I go back and look at the photos of me to make me smile.
‘To everyone out there, if you have sensitive skin, or just in general, please always do a test patch before any dye goes on your head.
‘I’m thankful for my family and friends who messaged me and phoned me every day checking up on me and being so worried as I was.
‘I am also extremely grateful for the staff at the hospital, who basically saved my life.
‘Without them, I wouldn’t be here.’
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