Agh! Excema after hair colouring

[Longtallsally]

I know what you are going to say, but have I got to stop colouring my hair altogether? Started last year in order to cover grey, using home colouring kit - L'oreal, Excellence. Was really pleased with the results, but on my fourth colouring - 12 months on - have developed a very very itchy scalp for the first time in my life. It's nowhere else, just on the scalp, and was quite painful for the first month or so, when scratched. Now its just a bit itchy but gets worse after swimming, so is reacting with chlorine too, I guess.

Any hope? Do you think I might ever be able to colour my hair if I use a different brand. Actually, I think I used a different shade this fourth time - no problems up to this, so maybe back to the original shade Or am I doomed to premature aging?!

Is it a permanent or fade-with-washing colour? I believe that the chemical that causes problems is only found in the permanent colours, so may be okay to keep using the other type. You need to look for 'PPD free' I think. (disclaimer: I saw this on This Morning where someone who had had a severe reaction was being interviewed, so this is just from memory!)

Brilliant, thanks. Will see if I can find out more.

Thank you You've given me hope!