She Just Wanted to Get Rid of Lice—Then Everything Changed
What started as a simple lice treatment turned into a nightmare for 16-year-old Aleema Ali from Bradford, England. At just 12 years old, Aleema came home from boarding school with head lice—nothing out of the ordinary. Like many kids, she used a medicated shampoo called Full Marks Solution to get rid of them. But what she didn’t know was that this shampoo was highly flammable.
After applying the treatment, Aleema went about her day—helping her mom take out the trash, then stepping into the kitchen. That’s when the unthinkable happened. Her hair suddenly caught fire, likely from a nearby heat source. In seconds, her life changed forever.
Aleema was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns covering 55% of her body—including her face, chest, arms, and back. She was placed in a coma for two months and tragically lost seven fingers due to the injuries. Her story became a shocking reminder of how something so common—like lice shampoo—can turn dangerous in the blink of an eye.
But Aleema didn’t let the trauma define her.
Now 16, she’s gone through multiple surgeries and continues to face challenges daily—managing her condition with medication, pressure garments, and therapy. Still, she says the experience has made her stronger and more confident.
And here’s the inspiring part: Aleema is now a rising star on TikTok. With over 216,000 followers on her account (@aleemaxali), she shares makeup tutorials and messages of hope, proving beauty isn’t just about appearance—it’s about strength. One of her videos even went viral, racking up 15.8 million views.
She’s also raising funds through a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of additional reconstructive surgeries.
Aleema’s story is a powerful example of resilience—and a cautionary tale for families using medicated products at home. Always read labels carefully, especially when flammable warnings are involved.
From tragedy to TikTok star, Aleema’s journey is one of survival, strength, and shining through the scars.
