Reaction to hair dye

[Smowball]

Years ago I reacted badly to a home hair dye kit. left if for a few years, tentatively started trying the quickest ones again - ie the ones that you only leave on for ten mins. All i got was an itchy scalp, so used it. Have use it for over a year now and still ok. Last thursday used the same dye. within hours my eyes had swollen, eyelids red raw, red raw blotches on face where it had touched skin. back of ears weeping. Took antihistamine for 3 days and ice on swellking. no better. Rang doctor who refuses to see me and says just treat as sunburn(??) and take antihistamine( I am!!). Still wont see me, says isnt urgent. Told him last time this happened they hgave me prednisolone which worked but he wont prescribe it this time. Anything else I can take please??

[EcclesCake]

Ouch, that sounds horrible.

If I were you I'd visit your local pharmacist and ask their advice.

Hope you get better soon.

[rowanwitch]

Yes a walk to GP surgery and insist on an appointment After three days it needs more than over the counter treatment.

In future leave the hair dye alone,,, you might get an even worse reaction next time

[ummmm]

And while you're at it look into changing your doctor.

[NOX]

You can very easily die ( or dye ;-) from these reactions so for heaven's sakes leave them alone- and change your GP he sounds a proper muppet:(

[Smowball]

Yes my hubby had already insisted on me changing doctors a few weeks ago, I already have the forms for another surgery. Will NOT be using the dye again, will look into trying to find a atural alternative. This doctor is such a tw&t. Think he must be on a bonus for every patient he manages to not give a prescription to!

[Smowball]

*natural lol

[rowanwitch]

Now you are sensitised you will need to be careful with so called natural products as most have some chemicals in to stabilise them and ensure consistant colours.

I think TBH you may have to give up dying altogether fo a few years at least.

[Smowball]

Its quite scary how quickly a reaction comes up. I look like Ive been punched in both eyes. And they are so cheap to buy as well.

[friedgreentomato]

If you have been having mild reactions why on earth did you continue?

Go to A&E

[Smowball]

Because, believe it or not, when I got nothing more thn itching I spoke to the doctor who said as it had reduced to just an itch then they would stop completely.(yep, same doctor!)

[naomi24]

I don't understand what you mean when you say the doctor refuses to see you If I ring the doctor's surgery, he doesn't know what's wrong until I go for the appointment.

[naomi24]

Pop into the chemist and speak to a pharmacist. They're usually very helpful.

[ummmm]

I hope you're not going grey :-(

I don't even know what my natural hair colour is anymore....

[Smowball]

I rang Mon am for app. They said they were fully booked and was it urgent. I explained an she said she would get the doctor to call me , which he did and has decided that he doesnt need to see me.

[Smowball]

lol ummm. I think Im still a brunette!

[rowanwitch]

I used coal tar shampoo after a bleach burn (went from dark aubergine to platinum in one session) I think if nothing else it helped stop the open areas becoming infected I used it to wash my face and neck too

[ummmm]

I'm a brunette with a hint of red.

No matter what colour I dye my hair there's always a hint of red.

[Smowball]

I'm a brunette but my hair is very thick and quite long, and the sun always lightens the tips hence the dye

[Kiki-frog]

Sorry, I don't know what else you could take to relieve the symptoms, but for future use you could try Herbatint, which is a vegetable-based hair colourant. You can get it in Boots and Holland & Barrett. Hope you feel better soon.

[cazzz1975]

I saw on the one show yesterday that even the "natural" hair colourant contain PPD (the chemical that causes the reactions)

did you do the patch test? hair colourants do change (the batch number changes to signify the change in ingredients) despite the packet remaining the same.