Having an EEG is one of the methods doctors use to diagnose or learn more about a person’s seizures. An EEG works by attaching sensors to your scalp using certain kinds of glue (it’s mainly only used for stays at epilepsy monitoring units or for long-term monitoring). But getting EEG glue out of your hair can be really difficult.
The technician at the epilepsy monitoring unit should get most of the glue out of your hair at the end of your stay. But if you get home and find there’s some left over, you might be wondering how to get EEG glue out of hair.
Epilepsy monitoring unit - what to expect
EEG glue hair removal can be hard
When you get an EEG, the hospital technician needs to attach electrodes to your scalp very securely. If the electrodes slip, then they might not pick up so much information about what’s happening inside your brain. To make sure the electrodes stay in place, they use very strong glue (collodion is often used. This powerful glue means the electrodes won’t move while you’re sleeping, walking around, or if you have a seizure.
When the EEG is finished, the technician will use a solvent that can remove the glue. But sometimes, it won’t all come out, or some gets missed. In this case, you may have to do it at home.
This can be difficult. The following tips for how to get EEG glue out of hair may make this process easier. If you have any doubts, ask at the hospital.
Know before you go
Your doctor or the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) will tell you how to get ready for the appointment. But when it comes to your hair, it can be helpful to think about preparing. If you have hair extensions, you may need to take them out because the technician will want to get the EEG sensors as close to your scalp as possible. If you color your hair, know that the dye might fade when using glue removal methods.
Learn more: What is an EEG and what does it show?
Tips for how to get EEG glue out of hair
Want to know how to get medical glue out of hair? Ask your doctor or an EEG technician - they can give tips specifically for you and the kind of EEG glue they used.
Companies that produce EEG-related equipment including LifeLineNeuro, NeuLine Health or Seer Medical suggest certain methods that may help:
- Collodion remover: If your EEG technician used collodion, they may be able to provide you with a special collodion remover to take home or to purchase.
- Brushing it out: You might be able to use a comb or brush to comb through your hair and remove clumps of glue that have gotten stuck to it.
- Skin-safe oils: Various types of oils such as coconut oil and vegetable oils can loosen the EEG glue from your scalp or your hair. Make sure it’s safe for your skin - check with a medical professional if you’re not sure (if you have allergies, check the packaging). Rub the oil onto your scalp and hair, then gently pick any remaining glue away. It might help to leave it for a few minutes to ‘soak in’ and loosen up bigger clumps.
Suggested: Read about essential oils and epilepsy
- Dish soap: Dish soaps can be effective at gently loosening EEG glue - just massage it gently into your hair then wash it out. Using dish soap can dry out your hair and scalp. If you use this method, you might want to apply conditioner afterwards and leave it to ‘soak’ in - wearing a deep conditioning cap may help.
- Clarifying shampoos: This kind of shampoo is designed to give your hair a ‘deep clean’ and can help with EEG glue hair removal.
- Acetone: A final option is acetone - that’s the same product as nail polish remover. You can often find it in large stores, marts and beauty counters. Use small amounts and rub it onto the EEG glue, then wash it out and apply a conditioner. Beware that acetone will dry your hair out if left on for long, so work quickly. Acetone is flammable and can be harmful if swallowed, so adults should supervise their children if using this method.
If you have any doubts about how to get EEG glue out of hair, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or the treatment team at the epilepsy center.
