What hairdressers should know about mesothelioma

As women clamour to make themselves up and look attractive, it may not occur to them that workers in salons are prone to being infected with diseases as a result of the chemicals and other items that they use, while the beauticians or salon owners smile to the banks.

But it is true that these workers battle life threatening diseases that they may not even be aware of. Specifically, individuals who work in occupations in hair salons like shampoo assistants, nail cosmetologists, and especially hair dressers, who experience unusual physical symptoms in their lungs or stomach should seek medical help as soon as possible.

There have been numerous recorded cases of hairdressers dying of mesothelioma before the age of 60 within the last 30 years, according to a research. The intention is not to scare workers from taking up jobs in the salons but to help them take preventive measures against diseases that will make them spend their earnings in seeking treatment afterwards.

“Asbestos is comprised of minute particles that are usually sealed, or embedded in a solid mass when used as insulation. As time goes on, fibers may break away and become airborne, through the hair dryer vents, and into the surrounding environment”, stated the research findings, adding that the inhalation or swallowing of this dust results in their becoming embedded in tissues of lungs, lung linings, chest cavities, or stomach, with little or no chance of its being released.

The asbestos fibers remain there for decades and their presence in some people becomes cause for a life threatening disease called asbestosis or carcinogenic conditions of lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, or mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is cancer of the chest cavity lining and lung membranes. Like most asbestos-related diseases, it has a latency period of up to 40 years, during which time the victim feels fine. Then, at some point, he or she will notice periods of shortness of breath, usually during exercise. The condition deteriorates until the person can't breathe very well, and the breathing is accompanied with severe chest pain. Unfortunately, by this time, the patient can't rely on surgery; only chemotherapy and radiation may slow the progress of mesothelioma.