Bride-to-Be Has Allergic Reaction to Eyelash Extensions That Led to Vision Loss Just Weeks Before Her Wedding

**Bride’s Wedding Plans Almost Derailed by Severe Allergic Reaction to Eyelash Extensions**

A bride-to-be from Cambridgeshire, Polly Bibby, experienced a terrifying allergic reaction following an eyelash extension treatment just weeks before her wedding day. The 26-year-old opted for the extensions to ensure she looked her best on her special day, only to face a medical emergency that significantly impacted her preparations.

Bibby initially felt confident after having a patch test before the procedure, which took place on July 5. However, her excitement quickly turned to distress a few hours later when she noticed her eyes becoming increasingly sore and watery. “It was alarming,” she recounted. “They started to sting and eventually stuck together with discharge.”

In a state of panic, Bibby reached out to emergency services for advice. After being assessed at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, she was informed that she had suffered an allergic reaction to the adhesive used in the eyelash extensions. The medical team prescribed her antibiotics and antihistamines, and recommended that she have the lashes removed once the swelling subsided.

Bibby was left in shock by her appearance during this time. She likened her condition to the character Sloth from the film “The Goonies” due to the extreme swelling that transformed her look dramatically. “I just didn’t look like myself,” she said, visibly upset by the experience.

Compounding her distress was the intense pain and discomfort she was enduring. “My eyes felt like they were burning,” Bibby explained. “It reached a point where I could hardly see at all.” Each blink brought additional frustration as her eyelids kept sticking together because of the discharge accumulating on her eyes.

Removing the eyelash extensions proved to be a challenging experience as well. Bibby described the procedure as excruciating, likening it to “pouring acid” on her face. “I was screaming, crying, and tensing up during the process,” she said. Even after the lashes were removed, she continued to suffer from red, swollen eyelids and blurred vision, which lingered for days.

Despite these setbacks, Bibby managed to marry her fiancé, Benjamin May, on July 27. Reflecting on her ordeal, she expressed a desire to warn others about the potential hazards of cosmetic treatments so close to a significant event. “I didn’t realise that when people make light of things going wrong on a wedding day, it could actually happen to me,” she said.

Bibby lamented the pain she suffered and insisted that if she could rewind time, she would choose to use mascara instead of eyelash extensions. “Going through that pain was not worth it. I would hate for anyone else to have to endure a similar experience,” she added.

Medical experts have noted that allergic reactions to eyelash extensions can occur, with symptoms manifesting just minutes after the treatment. These reactions are commonly attributed to the adhesive used to affix the false lashes. Bibby’s story serves as a cautionary tale for brides-to-be and anyone considering beauty procedures before a major event.

As the wedding approached, Bibby’s experience was a stark reminder of the risks associated with cosmetic treatments, underscoring the importance of proceeding with caution. Her hope is that by sharing her story, others will think twice before undergoing similar procedures in the lead-up to their own big occasions.