[Necrotizing toxic contact dermatitis of the scalp from hydrogen peroxide].

Skin reactions to chemicals used by hair dressers are usually reported as irritative or allergic contact dermatitis of the hands. We describe a 15-year old girl who suffered an unusually severe injury to her scalp with necrosis of the galea aponeurotica as a result of highlighting her hair. Injury resulted in a scaring alopecia, which can only be treated by plastic reconstructive surgery. The cause for this injury might have been a higher than usual concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for highlighting the hair.