Hair dye reactions
Signs and symptoms of a hair dye reaction
Reactions to PPD canrange from mild irritation in the scalp to an allergic reaction that can potentially trigger serious symptoms throughout the body.
Mild irritation
If you'remildly irritated to PPD, you may find that yourscalp, neck, forehead, ears and/oreyelids become irritated and inflamed after using hair dye.
The skin exposed to the PPD may become red, swollen, blistered, dry, thickened and cracked. You may feel a burning or stinging sensation.
Symptoms will usually appear within 48 hours, although strong irritants may cause your skin to react immediately.
Learn more about irritant contact dermatitis .
Allergic reaction
If you're allergic to PPD, your scalp and facemay feel itchy and start to swell.
PPD may also trigger symptoms throughout your body, such as itching, a nettle rash, and generally feeling ill.
These symptoms may not develop until hours, or even days, later.
A severe allergic reaction that develops within minutes is known as anaphylaxis , or "anaphylactic shock". Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash
- swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet the eyelids can swell so much that the eyes close
- feeling lightheaded or faint
- swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties
- wheezing
- tummy pain, nausea and vomiting
- collapsing and becoming unconscious
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Reactions to hair dye are avoidable if you follow some simple safety advice. This page offers advice to anyone who uses permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, especially the darker-coloured dyes.
Why some peopleare sensitive to hair dye
Some people are prone to a skin reaction called contact dermatitis . This means their skin becomes inflamed (red, dryand irritated) when they come into contact with a particular substance. The subst
How to avoid a reaction to hair dye
Patch test Always carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi-permanenthair dye, even if you are using your regular brand. This usually involves dabbing a small amount of the dye solutio
Signs and symptoms of a hair dye reaction
Reactions to PPD canrange from mild irritation in the scalp to an allergic reaction that can potentially trigger serious symptoms throughout the body. Mild irritation If you'remildly irritated to PP
What to do
Dial 999 for an ambulance if you think anaphylaxis is happening, and give an adrenaline injection if you have one. If you think you're experiencing a reaction to hair dye, but it's not an emergency,
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