What Are The Symptoms Of Hair Dye Allergy

How To Get Hair Dye Off Skin

Hair dye stains are the other dark side of PPD. If you get dye on your skin, wipe it away ASAP to prevent it from sinking in.

If you see stains after youve dyed your hair, start by washing the area with soap and warm water. For more set-in stains, rub the area with olive oil and leave the oil on your skin for up to eight hours. This is the best approach for people with sensitive skin. If sensitivity isnt an issue, dab the stain with rubbing alcohol or non-gel toothpaste and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before washing it off.

Stains on the hands can be removed by rubbing a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover on the skin for a few seconds, or doing the same with a paste made of gentle dish soap and baking soda.

Article Written By: Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Nanuet, New York. She has written for Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org, and many other outlets.

Why Does My Scalp Itch After Coloring My Hair

Skin reactions to the chemicals in hair dye are really common. Some hair dyes contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the scalp, especially if it is already sensitive. When the dye sits on the scalp for any length of time, the chemicals can actually burn the surface, leaving you with an itchy rash.

Medical Treatments To Get Rid Of Hair Dye Allergy

A. Topical corticosteroid creams that are available over the counter can give some relief from the pain and irritation caused by hair dye allergy. Make sure you do not apply these creams around your eyes and mouth .

B. You can also take oral antihistamines like Benadryl to reduce skin inflammation caused due to hair dye allergy.

C. Your dermatologist may prescribe you stronger corticosteroids in case of a severe allergic reaction. These could be in the form of steroid creams, lotions, eye drops, ear drops, or pills, which would give fast relief from swelling.

D. Potassium permanganate completely oxidizes PPD and soothes the allergy. Add 1 ml water to a pinch of potassium permanganate crystals and apply the solution to the affected areas.

E. OTC hydrogen peroxide also acts as an oxidizing agent. Apply the liquid to the affected area for 2-4 minutes and wash it off. It is a mild antiseptic, which gives instant relief from itchiness and burning sensation.

F. Moisturize the affected area gently with a medical emollient or cream.

Word of Caution

Please consult your pharmacist or dermatologist at every step. Buying strong medication without a prescription can make matters worse for your skin, especially for sensitive areas like the face and neck. Unsupervised treatment can also make the allergy a chronic condition.

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Unless A Person Has An Allergy Ppd

People who don’t have PPD allergies don’t have to worry about the ingredient when getting their hair dyed. Hair dyes with PPD are strictly regulated in both the U.S. and UK, and there’s a maximum concentration of PPD allowed in hair dyes, according to the National Health Service.

If you’re unsure whether you’re allergic to PPD, the easiest way to find out is to do a patch test, which involves dabbing a small amount of PPD-containing hair dye on the skin behind your ear or in your inner elbow and letting it dry. If you notice your skin starts to get swollen, red, dry, or itchy, it likely means you have a PPD allergy and shouldn’t use the dye.

You can also go to an allergy clinic where a professional can perform a similar test for you.

According to Dr. Zeichner, most people won’t have an allergic reaction to PPD the first time around, but if exposed a second time, an allergic reaction is more likely to happen. It’s a good idea, then, to do a patch test before any hair dye job.

Regardless of whether you react to the dye or not, you should always be cautious when using hair dye and follow the instructions on the box. You shouldn’t, for example, leave the dye on longer than instructed or apply it without gloves on.

There are also non-PPD hair dyes available for people who have allergies, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Read more:

How Is Paraphenylenediamine Allergy Avoided

People with confirmed allergy to PPD

People with confirmed allergy to PPD should avoid the use of all oxidation type hair dyes, and they should tell their hairdresser of their allergy. Metallic hair dyes and vegetable rinse hair dyes may be used but these do not provide permanent hair colour.

• Semi-permanent hair dyes may be a suitable alternative but approximately 10% of individuals who are allergic to PPD also react to these patch testing to confirm sensitivity should be performed prior to their use.
• Hair dyes using para-toluenediamine sulfate instead of PPD are tolerated by about 50% of people who are allergic to PPD. Patch testing is recommended prior to use.
• Black henna tattoos should be avoided. However, most individuals with PPD allergy can generally safely wear wigs or fur coats dyed with PPD.

People who are not allergic to PPD

In cases of occupational exposure, avoid contact with PPD by wearing suitable protective garments such as gloves and protective sleeves.

People who use hair dye should not keep the dye in the hair for longer than the recommended time, and it should be washed out thoroughly. Wear gloves during application and apply petroleum jelly or dimethicone barrier cream to the skin adjacent to the hairline to reduce the chance of sensitisation.

Substances related to PPD that may also cause an allergic reaction include:

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How To Stop A Hair Dye Reaction

Patch test

Even using your usual brand, always test a permanent or semi-permanent hair color on a small skin area first.

To do this, you typically dab a tiny bit of the dye solution behind your ear or inside your elbow and wait for it to dry. Observe the dyes directions precisely.

Do not use the product if you experience rashes or other health issues following the patch test.

What Other Substances Should I Avoid

When youre allergic to PPD, you may react to other substances also. While not everyone will be allergic to these other, related chemicals, you should be aware that occasionally they may cause problems.

• You should always avoid “black henna” tattoos, as these types of temporary tattoos may use PPDA

• Azo dyes: these dyes may be used as clothing dyes, fur or leather dyes, and in some inks

• PABA: this is an ingredient found in some sunscreens and some makeup that contains sunscreen

• Benzocaine: this is a type of topical anesthetic . It may be found in some OTC skin care products such as Solarcaine and Lanacaine

• Medicated creams containing sulfonamides may sometimes cause problems in those allergic to PPDA

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What Are The Symptoms

Hair dye allergies can cause mild or severe symptoms. When theres only mild itching, burning and irritation it isnt an allergic reaction, but a manifestation of sensitivity to the product.

The allergy includes the following symptoms:

• Contact dermatitis. Theres a red, scaly, itchy rash. It appears on all areas that have come into contact with the dye, i.e. the scalp and usually the contours of the face, ears and neck.
• Rashes. Rare on the scalp. However, they may be noticed in any other area of the body.

These symptoms may appear up to 48 hours after applying the product. Severe cases of hair dye allergy have the following consequences:

• Facial swelling. Swelling of the eyelids, lips and face in general. It may also occur on the hands or feet.
• Difficulty in breathing

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Severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylactic shock, or anaphylaxis, within minutes. This is a delicate, life-threatening condition and is treated as a medical emergency.

What A Hair Dye Allergy Looks Like

If an allergic reaction ensues as a result of hair coloring, its common for a series of dermatitis-like reactions to appear on the skin. It classically appears on the hands, head, and neck where the chemical is in contact with the skin, Dr. Boakye says. These allergies appear as eczema, spongiotic like a rash, or, at times, it can appear very non-specific and present with hives or lichen simplex chronicus, which is thickened skin. Other symptoms include an itching, stinging, burning sensation on the scalp and blisters, welts, and swelling at the hairline and on the scalp, forehead, neck, ears, eyes, lips, upper back, or feet.

Heres the tricky part with hair color allergies: the reactive response is not always instant. Symptoms may occur immediately or take up to 48 hours to manifest and become more severe over time, Dr. Shamban notes. This classifies the allergy as a type IV hypersensitivity reaction .

But thats not to say that one session in your colorists chair cant lead to an immediate reaction it can. Dr. Mariwalla says that if there is an aggressive exposure that occurs over several episodes , the reaction will worsen. So, what may begin as itch can progress to severe redness and even swelling and blisters, she shares.

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Why Do I Have Allergies

Its a bit of a mystery why some people have allergies and others dont. Research shows that they can run in families, and in some cases, anyone in your gene pool can share allergies to specific foods or medications. Its widely believed that your bodys allergic response was once meant to protect against parasitic infections, although now seems to be an abnormal response to noninfectious triggers.

Whats the alternative?

Heres the good newsMadison Reed offers a better way to color with ingredients you can feel good about. Our Radiant Cream Color is the first ever Smart 8-Free permanent hair color: free of ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, gluten, SLS, and titanium dioxide. A key ingredient we used to replace PPD is a Para Toluene Diamine ingredient called Toluene 2,5-Diamine Sulfate . TDS is shown to have a lower incidence of provoking sensitivity. And we added hair-loving nutrients keratin, argan oil, and ginseng root extract to protect and pamper hair. Our permanent hair color is handcrafted in Italy under the strictest EU health and safety standards. The result? Gorgeous, natural-looking color. Now that’s a beautiful thing.

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What Should I Do

If mild symptoms are present, you can manage hair dye allergy with the following measures:

• Rinse the hair with plenty of water and a mild shampoo. The aim is to remove excess dye.
• Apply a mild moisturizer to the affected areas.
• The symptoms of contact dermatitis can be reduced with an over-the-counter topical cream containing corticosteroids.
• Use dilute potassium permanganate. This substance helps to oxidize PPD this substance only causes allergy if its partially oxidized.
• Hydrogen peroxide. This is a mild antiseptic that helps relieve itching and skin irritation.

If the symptoms dont go away after a few hours, or if symptoms of a severe allergy appear, you should go to the emergency room for proper treatment.

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Hair Dye Allergy And Sensitivity Symptoms

Whether youre allergic to PPD or just sensitive to it, the symptoms are largely the same. They can include swelling, peeling, a red rash and stinging or burning. Both allergies and sensitivities can cause itching, though its more likely to be a major symptom if youre allergic to PPD.

Blistering is more common in allergic reactions, while sensitivities are more likely to make skin dry and cracked.

In rare cases, a hair dye allergy can trigger a potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can cause swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. Your risk of anaphylaxis is higher if youve had it before or if you have allergies or asthma and a family history of anaphylaxis.

What Are The Types Of Hair Coloring

• Permanent Hair Coloring: This type of hair coloring allows penetration of dye deep into the hair shaft. This is due to the ammonia content present in it. It has to be done only once a year.

• Semi-Permanent Hair Coloring: This allows partial penetration into the hair shaft but completely coats the hair with color.

• Temporary Hair Coloring: It contains water, organic solvents, and other agents.It is available as gels, sprays, and rinses.This type does not penetrate the hair and thus touch-up is done once a week.

• Bleaching: It is used to lighten the natural hair color.

• Ammonia-Free Dyes: These hair colors do not contain ammonia but contain other ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, resorcinol, etc. These aid in softening the hair. These are less damaging than the other types.

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Why Some People Are Sensitive To Hair Dye

Some people are prone to a skin reaction called contact dermatitis.

This means their skin may become red, dry, scaly, bumpy, blistered, or irritated when they come into contact with a particular substance.

The substance may either be an irritant, directly damaging the skin, or an allergen, triggering an allergic reaction that affects the skin.

Many permanent and some semi-permanent hair dyes contain a chemical called paraphenylenediamine , which is a known irritant and allergen.

Darker coloured dyes contain higher level of PPD.

PPD is the cause of most reactions to hair dye.

How To Avoid Allergic Reaction To Hair Dyes

You can avoid allergic reaction to hair dyes by following the below mentioned ways.

Patch test

This is one of the basic thing that you need to do before dying your hair. You need to conduct a patch test on your skin to find out whether or not you are getting allergic reactions with the dye.

All you need to do is apply a small amount of dye on your skin and let it dry.The skin area could be back side of ear or below the elbow. If you feel any kind of irritation, redness or any other symptom then do not use the product.

Make sure you carry out a patch test every time you dye and if it is the same brand then also carry out a test before using it.

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How Can I Prevent It

A person can develop an allergy to hair dye at any time, even if theyve used the product before. Therefore, you should always do an allergy test before using the hair dye.

Simply prepare a small amount of the dye and developer mixture. With a cotton pad, apply behind your ear and cover the area. Wait 24 hours and if theres no reaction, its safe to apply the product. You can carry out the same procedure on the wrist.

Its very important to carefully follow the instructions that come with the product. Also, there are some measures that can help, such as:

• Use dyes that dont contain PPD or any of the potentially allergenic substances.
• Emulsify the dye well before removing it.
• Apply plenty of water to the roots when removing the dye. Do this for at least two minutes. Then proceed with the rest of the hair.
• Wash the hair with a non-detergent-based shampoo after removing the dye completely.
• Use lukewarm water, more leaning towards cool rather than hot.

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How Can I Find A Ppd Free Hair Dye

As a dermatologist, I have treated so many patients with allergy to PPD. While it can take a little detective work on your part, it’s actually not that hard to find hair dye options that are free of PPD.

To find other hair dye options, you need to start by reading labels, or just choose one of the options listed in this post. Just be aware that you may need patch testing prior to using one of these other hair dye options, because some of these alternate chemicals can also cause allergic skin reactions.

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How To Prevent Reactions

You can become allergic to a product or substance at any time, even if youve used it before. Thats why its important to do a patch test prior to using hair dye, even if its a tried-and-true brand.

If you have an allergic reaction to hair dye, even mildly, stop using the product completely. You may have a more severe reaction with added use as your system becomes sensitized to the chemical.

If you use black temporary tattoos, you may be exposed to additional amounts of PPD. This can also sensitize your system, making you more vulnerable to an allergic reaction to hair dye.

People who are sensitive to PPD may also be allergic to other substances. These include anesthetics, such as benzocaine and procaine. Make sure to inform your doctor, dentist, and anyone who works on your hair about any allergies you have or suspect you have.

How Long Does The Reaction Last

You are likely to see an allergic reaction on your scalp as a result hair dye within about 24 to 48 hours. The moment the reaction occurs, it takes about 14 to 28 days after which it is likely to go away, even without need for any treatment.

The reaction is likely to get complicated and this would call for an alternative remedy. For instance, there are cases where the reaction would take as long as 6 weeks.

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Why Should I Choose Tylers For My Hair Allergy Compensation Claim

Here at Tylers Solicitors we pride ourselves in being the UKs leading providers of no-win, no-fee legal services. If youve suffered any kind of allergic reaction to hair dye that wasnt your fault, we are here for you. For more information on our wide range of no-win, no-fee brain injury compensation claims, dont hesitate to get in touch today! Were dedicated to helping you get the compensation you need to move on with your life.

To get all the information on our comprehensive no win no fee legal services call us without delay on 0800 699 0079. Our Professional team will be able to answer any questions you may have and will help you get your claim underway without delay.

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If youre looking for a trusted, UK provider of no-win, no-fee legal services, dont hesitate to get in touch with Tylers Solicitors today! Our experienced team will work with you to get the maximum amount of compensation youre entitled to, following any kind of injury that isnt your fault!