Probable anaphylactoid reaction to a pyrethrin pediculocide shampoo
Culver, C.A.; Malina, J.J.; Talbert, R.L.
Clinical Pharmacy 7(11): 846-849
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0278-2677 PMID: 3197386 Document Number: 322171
A 43-year-old Texan woman developed severe ophthalmic and respiratory symptoms after self-administered treatment for head lice [Pediculus capitis] using A-200 Pyrinate Liquid Shampoo (a.i. 0.3% natural pyrethrins; 3-4% piperonyl butoxide). Within an hour she developed moderately severe ophthalmia and some 8 h later was hospitalized with respiratory difficulties, recovering after much medication. She had a long history of asthmatic attacks, self-attributed to a variety of allergens, and subsequently gave a positive reaction by radioallergoabsorbent test to western ragweed [Ambrosia psilostachya] considered by the authors to be a probable cross-reacting allergen to pyrethrins.