Hair Dye Allergy
What Is Hair Dye Allergy?
Approximately 5% of people who use hair dyeing products experience an allergic reaction and you may not know that you have a genetic predisposition for a hair dye allergy until the symptoms appear. This allergy appears after using a commercial hair dye product and usually affects the scalp, face, ears, neck or hands of the person and in extreme cases it can affect the organs. Symptoms of a hair dye allergy include itching, swelling, redness and burning of the affected areas and in some cases blisters. The cause of most hair dye allergies is PPD (ParaPhenyleneDiamine) which is found in about two-thirds of all hair dye products.
PPD (sometimes also known as PPDA, Orsin, Ursol or Rodol) is used in hair dyes because it provides a natural look and doesn’t wash out easily. It needs to be mixed with oxygen to become activated and begin working and it is this process that causes a reaction in some people. The allergy usually presents itself in three ways.
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is the most common form of a hair dye allergy. The first reactions to a specific product occur after about ten days after the initial use. This makes it difficult to determine what may have caused a first time reaction. Hypersensitivity occurs with a secondary use, usually in just a few hours after use. The most common places that ACD affects are the upper eyelids, the ears and the hands, which become red and itchy. Contact urticaria is another allergic reaction that one may experience. It occurs within one hour of product use and creates a swelling of the eyelids and redness. Contact urticaria syndrome is more severe and can cause sneezing, difficulty in breathing and vomiting.
In extreme cases an allergic person may go into anaphylactic shock from a hair dye allergy. Difficultly with breathing, a drop in blood pressure, facial swelling and possibly death can all occur. Treatment for a person in anaphylactic shock needs to be immediate.
It is best to try to determine if you may have an allergy to hair dyes before the symptoms appear by testing a small amount of the substance on the elbow or behind the ear. This should remain for about two to three days to fully check for an allergy. If redness, swelling or itching does occur, it is best not to use that product.
If you have developed an allergy, treatment includes adding a 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide to the scalp to fully oxidize the dye solution and stop the reaction. Then it is best to remove the dye solution with a mild shampoo. Topical corticosteroids can be used to remove the itchy sensations. People experiencing allergic reactions should also drink a lot of water to help the body remove the toxins from the bloodstream. Home remedies for hair dye allergies may include washing the scalp with extra virgin olive oil twice a day or chamomile tea rinses. Vitamin A will also help to allow the skin to heal faster.
It is best to avoid commercial hair dye products that contain PPD if you know that you have an allergy. It is usually easy to tell if a product uses the oxidation process because it will come with two bottles, one with the dye and another with the activator. There are no permanent hair dyes available for people with PPD allergies. If you have had a reaction it is best to have a doctor perform a test to be sure that is was a contact allergy and not non-allergenic contact dermatitis, which is a different condition. Check the ingredients on dye bottles for PPD or any of its other names and remember that titles such as: ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘all natural’ and ‘unscented’ does not necessarily mean that they are allergy free.