Hair syncope: what to know

Standing still for a long time, heat, pain, emotional stress, tight clothing, missed meals or the sight of blood can activate a reflex that briefly lowers blood flow to the brain. Hair washing, brushing or cutting may simply coincide with one of these triggers. Dehydration, Anaemia or Hypoglycaemia can also make light-headedness more likely. A heart rhythm problem such as Atrial Fibrillation is less common but needs consideration when the episode is sudden, occurs during exertion, or happens without warning.

Before fainting, you may notice warmth, nausea, sweating, blurred vision or ringing in the ears. These warning symptoms are useful information, but their absence does not make a blackout harmless.

Stop the activity and lie flat with your legs raised, or sit with your head lowered if lying down is not possible. Tell someone nearby, loosen tight clothing and move away from heat. Do not stand quickly or drive until you feel fully recovered. Once alert, sip fluids and eat if you may have missed a meal and can swallow safely. Arrange medical review after a first faint, a repeated episode or an event with injury.

Call emergency services for fainting with chest pain, severe breathlessness, palpitations, seizure-like movements, serious injury, prolonged confusion, one-sided weakness or difficulty speaking. Urgent assessment is also needed if you faint during exercise, while lying down, without warning, or if you have known heart disease. Someone who remains unconscious should be placed safely on their side if breathing and monitored while help arrives.

What was I doing, eating and drinking before the episode? Could my blood pressure, blood count, glucose level or heart rhythm be involved? Do I need an ECG or other tests? When can I safely return to driving, swimming or activities where a fall would be dangerous?