A few years ago (post menopausal) I had my hair dyed (by my usual hairdresser with a patch test, and the same dye that had been used for years). A few days later I woke up and my scalp and all around my hairline was bright red and extremely sore. For the next six months or so I suffered with redness and blisters on my scalp and some hair loss, I could only wash my hair with Faith in Nature fragrance free shampoo and could only use olive oil as a conditioner. I had various tests for allergies etc but in the end I was told that I should not dye my hair again, as there was a possibility I could go into anaphylactic shock.
It also seemed to trigger other sensitivities on my skin and reactions to any products or foods which had preservatives or additives in. It took me a couple of years to get back to ‘normal’ and to be able to use normal shampoos and conditioners and skincare, although I am still very careful with what I use and always patch test any new product first. I still have to be careful with foods and eat very cleanly otherwise I itch all over. With the benefit of hindsight I had been getting itchier and itchier after having my hair dyed each time. I also had been feeling not quite right. They never did find what had triggered this (the hair dye formulation had not changed) and I can only put it down to changes in me. Almost like a build up and my body saying I don’t like this anymore. I felt quite unwell for some time with it. I do not take any oral HRT.
I don’t want to worry anyone, but am posting this just so that you are aware and don’t ignore any warning signs. I had always been someone who worried about my roots, but I was just happy not to lose any more hair, my scalp to return to its normal colour, feel better in myself and embrace the grey!
