Allergies can occur due to various reasons, in some cases chemicals in the hair dye can result in an allergic reaction. The symptoms of hair dye allergy can be mild to severe. Hair dye allergies are a result of an overreaction of the immune system to the chemicals present in the hair dye. PPD (paraphenylenediamine), a component of hair dye, is usually the reason behind the allergy. Though PPD is the most prominent chemical that causes allergic reaction, other components present in the dye such as ammonia, peroxide, etc. can also result in an allergic reaction. The symptoms appear immediately or some hours after applying the hair dye. As a result of the allergic reaction, there may be redness and inflammation on the scalp, ear, face and neck. Red rash may occur on any body part. There may be itching, burning and stinging as well. Skin dryness and flaking may appear as well. Cracks or thickening on the skin may be visible. In some cases, blisters may be seen. Sometimes hives appear with red, raised bumps (wheals) on the skin along with itching. There may be swelling on the scalp and face. Eyes may become itchy. In some cases, it may result in a severe and serious condition known as anaphylaxis. It is a medical emergency that needs to be immediately treated otherwise it may turn fatal. Some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis are swollen throat and tongue, blockage in the airways, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and fainting.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathy can prove highly effective in managing cases of hair dye allergy with the use of natural remedies. These medicines work by moderating the overactive immune system which is causing the allergic reaction. Once the overactive immune system is controlled, symptoms start disappearing. These medicines help in managing signs and symptoms such as redness and inflammation on scalp, red rash on any body part, skin itching, burning and stinging, skin dryness, blisters, cracks, thickening of skin and hives. These medicines are entirely safe to use as these are prepared from naturally occurring substances having no side effects. There are no specific medicines in homeopathy for treating hair dye allergy. So, the homeopathic medicines are selected based on the individual’s symptoms after detailed case evaluation. So one must take homeopathic medicines under the supervision of a homeopath and avoid self-medication. Homeopathic medicines are recommended only for mild and moderate cases of hair dye allergy. In severe cases like anaphylaxis, urgent help from the conventional mode of treatment should be taken.
Homeopathic Medicines For Hair Dye Allergy
1. Apis Mellifica – Top Recommended Medicine
Apis Mellifica is one of the best homeopathic medicines for managing allergic reactions appearing on the skin. This medicine is very effective to manage eruptions on the skin that are attended with a burning and stinging sensation. Besides, there is great sensitivity of the skin to touch. A prickling sensation is also felt on the body. Next, this medicine can manage dryness and redness on the skin accompanied with a heated sensation. This medicine is well indicated to manage hives with red, inflamed wheals on the skin. Burning and stinging is marked in these patches which are painful. This medicine is also useful for managing itching on the skin. In cases needing it, there is relief in itching by scratching and also in open air.
2. Natrum Mur – To Manage Itching On Scalp
This medicine is well indicated for cases where there is marked itching on the scalp. There is itching along the nape of the neck, and on the scalp. Marked stinging may be felt as well. In some cases, blisters which are eruptions that contain fluid, may appear. Scabs may be seen on the scalp. The affected skin area may be sore to touch. This medicine is also recommended to manage hives with large red bumps attended with violent itching. Lastly, it can help cases having little red spots on the whole body.
3. Urtica Urens – To Manage Hives
This medicine is indicated to manage hives caused by skin allergy. In cases needing it, raised red wheals appear on the skin. Violent itching and burning sensation is felt on the wheals. The complaint is relieved on lying down. Formication (a sensation as if insects are crawling on or under the skin) may be felt in addition to the above complaints.
4. Histaminum – To Manage Red Eruptions, Skin Redness And Hives
Histaminum is yet another excellent medicine to relieve allergies. This medicine can be used to manage red eruptions on the skin. It is attended with itching, scratching brings relief. Heated sensation is also felt on the skin. Histaminum is also indicated to help cases where redness occurs on the skin along with a burning sensation in well-defined areas on the skin. This medicine can also help manage hives.
5. Arsenic Album – To Manage Dry Crusts / Dry Scales On Scalp
This medicine is recommended when dry crusts or dry scales appear on the scalp. They may extend to the ears, forehead and the neck. It is indicated to manage burning and itching on the scalp that gets worse in the evening. Besides the above, this medicine works well in cases of pus-filled eruptions (pustules) on the scalp. They are sensitive to touch. Arsenic Album is also indicated for managing cases where dryness and roughness on the skin is prominent. Further indications of this medicine include peeling off skin in large scales, hives with burning sensation and restlessness and appearance of fluid–filled eruptions (vesicles).
6. Sulphur – For Managing Eruptions On Scalp With Thick Yellowish Crusts
Sulphur is of great use to manage eruptions on the scalp with thick yellowish crusts. The eruptions are moist causing matting together of hair. There is also intense itching on the scalp. This medicine works well for pimples on the scalp with pain and itching. It is suitable to manage small fluid-filled eruptions on the top portion of the scalp. These are attended with excessive itching. After sometime these form yellow or brown crusts.
7. Graphites – For Managing Roughness And Dryness On Skin
Graphites is a prominent medicine to manage rough and dry skin. This can be accompanied with cracks on the skin. This medicine is also effective to manage flakiness on the scalp. Further, Graphites is an important medicine for managing eruptions that ooze out a sticky and gluey discharge. These eruptions are itchy accompanied by a burning sensation. Crusts form over the eruptions afterwards.
8. Merc Sol – For Scalp Eruptions With Sour Smelling Sweat
This medicine is beneficial for managing eruptions on the scalp along with sour-smelling sweat. Stinging and burning sensation is felt in the eruptions. There is itching on the scalp all the time. The scalp is also painful to touch. This medicine is indicated for skin eruptions that may either contain watery fluid or pus.