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Suggest Treatment For Allergic Itching Reaction After Using Hair Color
Question: 5 weeks ago I had a bad reaction to my usual har XXXXXXX (professionally done by the same stylist I have used for years, same product), A Week ago I went back to her, told her of my reaction and asked if there was something that could be done. She said there was an additive that would prevent irritation, which she used. I wasn't itchy that day but by the late evening, I realized I was having another allergic reaction. I washed my hair immediately and I used benedryl capsules and some liquid benedryl on the rash I could see for a day or two and it continued a little itchy but not impossible. Today, 8 days after my hair was dyed, I feel itchy almost everywhere and am beginning to see some minor skin rashes on my back and chest. Because I really am itchy all over I could have caused the rashes by scratching, I guess, but it is very worrisome. I am not short of breath or running a fever and my stomach is not upset. I just itch all over and don't know what to do. The benedryl I took before helped the itchiness but I get side effects I really don't enjoy from any antihistimine so I don't want to go back to that without knowing what is going on. What should I do?
Brief Answer:
Consider trying a different antihistamine (Zyrtec), if worsening, go to ER
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it sounds as though you are having a continued reaction that was set off by the hair XXXXXXX Even though that product had worked for you in the past, it does not seem like you will be able to use it again. It's possible that the formulation in it was changed slightly or you just developed a sensitivity to it. And once you are sensitized or allergic, no additive to it is going to prevent a reaction.
So what to do now. You can try a different antihistamine. Is it that Benadryl sedates you excessively? Ceterizine (Zyrtec) is one of the best for itching, and for generalized itching it is usually given twice a day. Some allergists even go up to 4x the usual dose (i.e. 4 pills a day) but I would not advise that without you consulting with an allergist or other physician in person first so they can rule out other things that might be going on. Zyrtec tends to have fewer side effects and be less sedating than Benadryl. You can start at a low dose with it, such as 5 mg (i.e. half tablet) and see how you feel with it. Taking it at bedtime is helpful initially so that you sleep off some of the initial sedation, if it is sedating for you. But the medicine lasts 24 hours as opposed to Benadryl's 6 hours.
Also, sometimes OTC Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg 2x/dy can be helpful. Even though this medication is for stomach problems, it can block certain histamine receptors in the skin. It is an additional medicine to take - not in place of a standard antihistamine.
I am concerned though about how long this has been going on. It's possible that if it continues, you may need a course of oral corticosteroids to shut the reaction down. This would require you to be evaluated in person. If you can get in to see an allergist in a timely way, I would suggest that.
If it is getting worse in any way, and in particular if you have any difficulty breathing or swelling of lips or tongue, get to an ER.
Regarding future hair dying, you should go get a very small patch test with a new hair XXXXXXX if you so desire to continue dying your hair. I imagine you did this years ago prior to first starting with the current XXXXXXX but apparently it or you have changed and it is out of the question now.
I am so sorry you are suffering with this. Please let me know if I can help provide any further information or clarification.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Consider trying a different antihistamine (Zyrtec), if worsening, go to ER
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it sounds as though you are having a continued reaction that was set off by the hair XXXXXXX Even though that product had worked for you in the past, it does not seem like you will be able to use it again. It's possible that the formulation in it was changed slightly or you just developed a sensitivity to it. And once you are sensitized or allergic, no additive to it is going to prevent a reaction.
So what to do now. You can try a different antihistamine. Is it that Benadryl sedates you excessively? Ceterizine (Zyrtec) is one of the best for itching, and for generalized itching it is usually given twice a day. Some allergists even go up to 4x the usual dose (i.e. 4 pills a day) but I would not advise that without you consulting with an allergist or other physician in person first so they can rule out other things that might be going on. Zyrtec tends to have fewer side effects and be less sedating than Benadryl. You can start at a low dose with it, such as 5 mg (i.e. half tablet) and see how you feel with it. Taking it at bedtime is helpful initially so that you sleep off some of the initial sedation, if it is sedating for you. But the medicine lasts 24 hours as opposed to Benadryl's 6 hours.
Also, sometimes OTC Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg 2x/dy can be helpful. Even though this medication is for stomach problems, it can block certain histamine receptors in the skin. It is an additional medicine to take - not in place of a standard antihistamine.
I am concerned though about how long this has been going on. It's possible that if it continues, you may need a course of oral corticosteroids to shut the reaction down. This would require you to be evaluated in person. If you can get in to see an allergist in a timely way, I would suggest that.
If it is getting worse in any way, and in particular if you have any difficulty breathing or swelling of lips or tongue, get to an ER.
Regarding future hair dying, you should go get a very small patch test with a new hair XXXXXXX if you so desire to continue dying your hair. I imagine you did this years ago prior to first starting with the current XXXXXXX but apparently it or you have changed and it is out of the question now.
I am so sorry you are suffering with this. Please let me know if I can help provide any further information or clarification.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you very much! I don't have any difficulty breathing or swelling as you describe, thank God, but the overall rash is not getting better. Can't get in to see an allergist imediately, but I am able to see my GP this afternoon and will do so. I initially read your answer at about 3 am this morning when I woke up from the itching all over, and because of it I was comfortable taking the only antihistimine I had and got back to sleep. My problem with benedryl is not sleepiness but the dryness after using it for a day or two, especially in sinuses which can lead to headaches, and with a lot of use, I get "hyper" rather than sleepy. I'm willing to take meds under these conditions, as not being able to sleep from itching is far worse. I suspect I'm looking at some corticosteroids to set this to rest. Is there anything I should know about that medication? As you can see, I try not to take meds, especially OTC, unless I really have to do so.
Brief Answer:
With corticosteroids, the short course is best.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad you are going in to see your doctor (or perhaps already did today).
Regarding your question about oral corticosteroids, the shortest course that relieves the symptoms (but long enough that they don't restart when you discontinue the medicine) is best. For something like your reaction, usually 5-7 days will do it, and no longer than 7-14 days. I say this because longer use can convince your hypothalamus, pituitary,and adrenal glands to stop making cortisol in reaction to stress and this effect can last quite awhile after you are no longer on the medicine.
Usually prednisone dosage is tapered down if you are on it for more than 5 days.
Oral corticosteroids do have many side effects, but these are mostly troubling if you are on them for a long time.
I do hope you are better soon! Please let me know if there is anything further I can provide information or clarification on.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
With corticosteroids, the short course is best.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad you are going in to see your doctor (or perhaps already did today).
Regarding your question about oral corticosteroids, the shortest course that relieves the symptoms (but long enough that they don't restart when you discontinue the medicine) is best. For something like your reaction, usually 5-7 days will do it, and no longer than 7-14 days. I say this because longer use can convince your hypothalamus, pituitary,and adrenal glands to stop making cortisol in reaction to stress and this effect can last quite awhile after you are no longer on the medicine.
Usually prednisone dosage is tapered down if you are on it for more than 5 days.
Oral corticosteroids do have many side effects, but these are mostly troubling if you are on them for a long time.
I do hope you are better soon! Please let me know if there is anything further I can provide information or clarification on.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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