Getting EEG electrode gel/glue out of your hair

[WordsnNumbers]

I've got a question for anyone who has had a sleep-deprived EEG done.

I've heard horror stories about getting the gel/glue out of one's hair after the test is done -- if you've had this test done, what was your experience of removing the gel? What worked best for you?

Thanks for ANY tips!

[Nancy]

I've been having EEGs (including sleep deprived) since 1990. Some of the "gunk" is easier to remove than other but all of it will come out with one or two regular shampoos.
I had one video EEG where the stuff had to hold the electrodes on for 4 days and 4 nights ...... regular shampoo removed that with just two regular applications. No real problem at all.
IMHO any horror stories you've heard have been great exaggerations.
I bet you'll be just fine
Here's wishing you the very best.

[Bernard]

Good luck with the video EEG Words&#s!

[WordsnNumbers]

Well, it's over -- and I think that must get the gold-plated, grand prize bull-moose first place award for the Most Annoying Diagnostic Tool Ever.

So there was the electrodes, plus the extra-bonus abrasion-gel used to exfoliate the living bejeezus out of both my scalp AND my hair before they stick the electrodes on -- which hurts just as much as it sounds like! Whee!

Flashing lights, which don't bother me luckily, because the last thing I needed was another full-on spell since not having them for a while.

Then, coming home, shampooing the equally living bejeezus out of my scalp to get the gunk out of my hair, losing my temper on little sleep and ripping through the tangles to comb it out -- not good, as my hair is about butt-length -- and then a nice long nap.

Work tomorrow. And the next appt with the neurologist in a week. Joy.

But, it's over.

[Bernard]

Hopefully the test will provide some conclusive answers for you.

[brain]

NEXT TIME:

Before you get your EEG or video EEG

Get a FULL bottle of Fingernail polish remover with Aloe

When you get home - with a clean white towel - drap your head
over the sink and pour it over your head and if someone's with
you - have them use cotton balls to wipe off the edges of your
forehead and sides ... (be careful around your eyes).

Then wrap your head with a towel and let it soak for at least 2-4
minutes. Then shower it all off - and USING CONDITIONER - not
shampoo, massage your hair and let it soak in your hair for at
least 20 minutes. And rewrap with another towel for at least 20
minutes.

NOW you can wash your hair with shampoo and use conditioner
again. This time, it will only last maybe a day or two to get the
remainder of that stupid #)*&#&^%! glue residue off.

This is a trick I learned from a Tech years ago and it works! And
you will no longer look like the Werewolf or Bride of Frankenstein
either!

[Birdbomb]

Fingernail polish remover

That is so dangerous on several levels!

• Highly flamable!
  Very harsh on the skin
  The chemicals can react to other products used in the hair
  Can cause severe chemical burns of the scalp
  Can cause severe eye damage
  The chemicals can cause seizures to those sensitive
  The fumes alone can cause some to become ill.

[brain]

Well - that's what they use every time when they remove the
electrodes off at the hospitals these days as well in the Doctor's
offices...

And plus --- consider all those women who have their manicures
and pedicures ... and they're still alive and have not yet been sent
flying to Venus, Mars, or Jupiter yet!

[Birdbomb]

Well - that's what they use every time when they remove the
electrodes off at the hospitals these days as well in the Doctor's
offices...

And plus --- consider all those women who have their manicures
and pedicures ... and they're still alive and have not yet been sent
flying to Venus, Mars, or Jupiter yet!

Not my doctor! She has enough intellegence to know that chemical sensitivites can and do cause serious problems and not to mention SEIZURES. Check the list of ingredents. The warning states it's harmful to synthetic fabrics, wood finishes and plastics. This means it INTERACTS chemically. Plastic melts, cellular tissues burn and chemical compositions with other hair products such as, DYES, hennas, perms, setting lotion, conditioners, hairspray, mousse, pomades change structurally.

This can cause some pretty nasty things to happen to your hair and/or scalp. However if you want to pour a HIGHLY FLAMABLE chemical such as nail polish remover in your hair and keep it wrapped in a towl, be my guest! Just remember the label states DO NOT USE WHEN SMOKING. DO NOT STORE NEAR FIRE HEAT OR FLAMES.

I am one "those women who have their manicures and pedicures".

Everytime I walk in the place my eyes turn red and begin to water from the fumes even though they have an excellent air filtration system. If they turned off that system, there would be quite a few ladies passed out on the floor from the toxic fumes.

[Bernard]

The last two times that Stacy went status she had had pedicures the day before. She is not getting any more pedicures just to be on the safe side. She said that she thinks the fumes contributed to her seizures.

Everybody has different tolerances. The fumes give me a headache if I'm around them too long.

There is a discussion about paint fumes being a seizure trigger for some members here, so I think it is wise to be cautious with fingernail polish remover (which is essentially a paint thinner/remover).

[brain]

YES - they do give me headaches, at first they did, but afterawhile,
I guess you get used to it (?) I've had so many done!

I can remember the days when it was NEEDLES and not electrodes!
*GAG*! NOW that HURT!

[Birdbomb]

Light my fire

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire

[Nancy]

Oct., 2005 I had one of those wretched 4 day long video EEG and I was able to shampoo that nasty glue out at home with very little problem.

On March 6, I go back to the hospital for yet another video EEG and more glue.
I'm a great deal more worried about my brain than I am about my hair :shock:

[phianoposis]

There is a product called collodion remover-you can do a Google search to purchase it. Not as much of a fire hazard as acetone.

My sons cub scout leader told me Downy fabric Softner might take it off. He told me it takes wallpaper glue off easily. Worth a try next time

[RobinN]

When my daughter had the video EEG, the glue was much stronger than the hour long EEG. The hospital where it was given, was very kind and took the time to get all of the glue out. Every last drop.

At the neurofeedback institute, they use something that is completely out with a light rub, and Rebecca has never once complained about any left over residue. I think the patient needs to request that it all be out, before they leave the room. You are paying for the hairdo, so you might as well get what you paid for.

[Linda Holzer]

My partner just finished a 4-day EEG, and I was alarmed that the EEG tech said we should use Acetone and a de-licing comb to get the Collodion glue out of her hair.

As you all know if you've had this procedure, the skin is sensitive because it has been roughed up. And Acetone is a really harsh chemical that isn't supposed to be put on human skin, let alone irritated human skin.

I searched on Google, and found that there are some medical supply stores that carry Collodion Remover. Here are the links:

Medikamed.com

Mavidon.com

Obviously, we want to get the glue out today, so we can't wait for delivery of this Collodion remover from another state. But I'm going to tell our neurologist and EEG tech about it tomorrow afternoon at the follow-up appointment.

Another option is, go to the hair care products aisle for people of color, and buy a bottle of Pantene Relaxed & Natural Intensive Moisturizing Conditioner. (This has a higher oil content than the hair conditioner typically used by Caucasians.) Apply the conditioner liberally to your scalp where the glue is, and go ahead and massage it into your hair overall. Put on a shower cap (also found in this hair care section), and set a timer for 20 minutes. Take off the shower cap. The conditioner softens the glue considerably. You can now use a fine-tooth plastic comb to get the glue out of your hair. Wipe the comb on a paper towel frequently.

The reason you have to put conditioner all over is because when you're combing out the glue, if you hit a dry patch of hair you're going to get tangled.

When you get out as much of the glue as you can through combing, wash your hair thoroughly a couple times.

This is a lot easier on the skin than Acetone, but I would have preferred being able to use Collodion Remover. There were no pharmacies in town that carried it, however.

Good luck, everyone!