Chemicals in hair dyes may cause allergies for some people.
Around 38% of people who color their hair report having an allergic reaction to hair dye.
The most common allergic reaction to hair dye iscontact dermatitis, which causes itchy, flaky skin.
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Treatment for hair dye that causes an allergic reaction includes topical creams, like topical corticosteroids.
It’s rare, but hair dye chemicals can cause a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction calledanaphylaxis.
Contact dermatitis happens because an allergen that contacts the skin triggers an immune response from the body.
The allergens become antigens and interact with a part of the immune system’s defense (T-lymphocytes).
The response fights off the allergen, which the body sees as an invader.
Some people will have more serious allergic reactions.
When this happens, the body makes and releasesimmunoglobulin E (IgE)into the bloodstream.
The chemical in hair dye that is most likely to cause an allergy is calledpara-phenylenediamine(PPD).
Some people have the test done to figure out if there are other hair dye products they could use.
Allergy testing should be done in a provider’s office.
The most common test is thepatch test.
For this test, suspected allergens are placed on the skin.
The patch is taken off after about 48 hours.
The appearance of small, red bumps or blisters means the test is positive.
In that case, it just means there was irritation and not a true allergy.
you’re able to usetopical corticosteroid creamsto relieve inflammation and itching.
If you have severe allergies, you may need systemic corticosteroids in pill form or given as an injection.
How do you treat an allergic reaction to hair dye?
Remove the dye immediately.
Topical corticosteroid creams, like hydrocortisone, can help alleviate symptoms.
Stronger or more persistent reactions may require a prescription from your healthcare provider.
Summary
Some people who color their hair have an allergic reaction to the dye.
The most common reaction to hair dye is contact dermatitis which causes an itchy, flaky scalp.
This is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.
A mild allergy or irritation from hair dye can be prevented by using gentler products to color your hair.
If you get a scalp or face rash from hair dye, many OTC products can ease the irritation.
If you have a more severe reaction, you may need to see your provider for prescription treatment.
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