Health. Hairdresser's syndrome: is there an increased risk of stroke after a shampoo?
“Have you been to the hairdresser recently?” This question, asked by neurologists to Julien after his stroke, may seem surprising. On his Instagram account, the young man recounts the accident he suffered after a shampoo. A closer look at a rare but very real phenomenon: hairdresser syndrome (or hair salon syndrome).
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Who would have imagined that a simple shampoo at the hairdresser's could, in rare cases, cause a stroke? This syndrome, first identified in 1992 by the American neurologist Michael Weintraub, occurs when the head is tilted too far back during hair washing.
"This position can stretch or compress the arteries in the neck, and in rare cases, cause an arterial dissection, leading to a stroke," explains Julien, 39, who shared his experience on Instagram (julien.avc).
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As a reminder, a stroke is an attack caused by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the brain. It usually results from a blockage by a clot or the rupture of a major blood vessel in the brain, which reduces the oxygen supply, thus damaging brain cells.
As Dr. Arun L Naik, a neurosurgeon in India, explains, "Hairdresser's syndrome can occur when the neck is in hyperextension or an uncomfortable position (such as during shampooing), which compresses or damages the cervical arteries that run through the neck and supply blood to the brain. This disruption of blood flow can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, numbness, slurred speech, or even a complete stroke."
Of course, and thankfully, the vast majority of shampoos go smoothly. However, understanding this syndrome allows for simple precautions that can prevent rare but potentially serious complications.
What precautions are we talking about?- ask the hairdresser to adjust the chair so that your neck is not stretched too far back;
- If you remain seated for a long time in an uncomfortable position, take breaks or change position to relieve tension in your neck;
- If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or have any unusual symptoms during or after your hair wash, notify the hairdresser and consult a doctor immediately.
This vigilance applies particularly to the elderly, those suffering from cervical osteoarthritis or those with a history of vascular problems, who are at slightly higher risk.
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