My hair is falling out in clumps, I dyed it this morning.

[DurhamDurham]

I dyed my hair this morning with my usual brand, Clairol's Nice & Easy, all went as usual. No itchy scalp or swelling etc. as I stepped out of the shower I noticed that there were a few strands of hair in the bath ( it only seems significant now, I didn't think much of it then)!

I combed my hair through and the. Dried it with the hair dryer, didn't notice any hair loss then.

While I was out for lunch I was sat at the table and happened to run my hands through my hair and masses of hair came out. My daughter laughed nervously and I did it again.....more hair fell out.

Just got back home and I only have to touch my hair and strands come out, just tried to call customer services at Clairol to see if they had any advice but it's only open mon- fri.

I don't know whether to wash my hair or leave it. I have long wavy thick hair and it terrified I'll wake up tomorrow to find loads of hair on my pillow.

Has anyone else been through this? Husband is trying to get me to go to walk-in centre but I feel fine ( sick with worry about loosing hair ) but otherwise well.

[Fifis25StottieCakes]

You will be fine as you have took the tablets and i think it will only be a bit of shredding, try not to worry, once its rinsed off you will see a diffrence

[LongHardStare]

I would ring NHS direct. Not sure it is a good idea to assume it is a reaction to a particular ingredient on the basis of one poster's experience, especially as you have used the same product many times, and it is a common ingredient.

Presumably you rinsed well when in the shower as you normally do after dying. Don't panic! Ring the doctor and the clairol helpline on the packet when they are open.

[Fifis25StottieCakes]

Yes true although i had used products for years with dimithicone in, the problem was i think i used a product with a high content (Nit Rid) which i suspect frizz ease has and may have started the reaction, quite a bit of info online about it but yes its based on what happened to me and yes ring the NHS and ask their advice first

[DurhamDurham]

Washed my hair and rinsed for England.

Feeling ok and hair is still coming out but maybe not so much, I think.

I'll keep an eye on it and if I feel unwell or it gets worse I will call NHS Direct.

I'll also call Clairol in the morning and see what they have to say, I'm sure they have a well rehearsed blurb about it not being their product which is to blame.

Thanks again for useful I of and tips, much appreciated.

[Fifis25StottieCakes]

Your welcome yes post back after you have talked to Clairol, would be interesting to know what they say about it. I think if it is a reaction you will be fine now as you have washed it off, i felt much better once i started on the tablets. It might actually be the Frizz Ease though

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Was it a dark coloured dye? Have a google of PPD reactions
[https://www.allergyuk.org/skin-allergy/reactions-to-hair-dye]]

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

www.allergyuk.org/skin-allergy/reactions-to-hair-dye

[DurhamDurham]

It's a medium brown colour, just use it to cover the grey really.

I might well be goring grey gracefully from now on, can't even begin to think I'd be brave enough to dye it again.....,,,,it might be even worse next time.

It might well be the Frizzease so won't be using that anymore.mi have thick wavy hair so I have to put something on it or it'll be a huge dry mess.

I've read your link and it's more common than I thought, I must have been lucky up to now, been dying my hair since my early 20's when I started to go grey and I'm 44 now.

[Fifis25StottieCakes]

I did as well without incident just one thing set it off, i try and avoid it now but its pretty hard. It might not be the dimithicone, it could be something else in the dye or the frizz ease, im not sure how you would find out so you know what to avoid, my doc said it definately sounded like it was the nit lotion with me as its not something you use very often, since found out the one i used had high levels, baby oil has as well so i avoid that. Maybe go to your GP and see what they think

[HellKitty]

That's pretty scary about dimithicone.
Op, I hope it's just your hairs natural 'shed' and nothing serious.

[BabyGanoush]

Dimethicone is silicone

Just a layer of "plastic" that dies not do much apart from giving an appearance of smoothness (without nourushing hair or skin, it just looks more nourished.

Hope hair is ok now!

[rabbitstew]

No mention of hair loss in the allergy UK info, though...

[slithytove]

Did you patch test op? Just patch test each time and you shouldn't go too far wrong

[DurhamDurham]

I didn't do a test patch, I don't know anyone who buys two boxes of hair dye in order to carry out a test patch. I think the companies put that on the box just to cover themselves, realistically I bet more people don't test than do.

I've emailed Clairol today so that it's in writing and have an appt with GP as it's still falling out (I think the process has slowed down, hopefully).

[Alyosha]

Durham, I always do a patch test - you don't need a whole box! Just a very small dab with the developer & dye mixed together. The instructions outline it very clearly :)

It's a good thing I did it last time as I got a horrible burn :( Had to ditch my favourite permanent and do it semi-permanent.

[base9]

I always do a patch test, but I had a friend who went through similar to you so I learned from her experience!

Hope the GP can help and your reaction calms quickly.0

[DurhamDurham]

But you are supposed to do a patch at least 24 hours before you dye your hair and you are supposed to use freshly mixed solution so and discard after use. Not sure I like the idea of using dye that I opened 24 hours previously.

However at this rate I don't think I'll ever be dying my hair again......this time next year I'll be a silver haired old lady !!

[Trooperslane]

You need to do a patch test every time op.

Manufacturers are always tweaking product - to make cheaper/more effective.

Pp is right - you use a tiny bit 24/48 hours before and makes sure there's no reaction.

I went to the same hairdresser and had the same brand and colour done for several years and had a really awful reaction - contact dermatitis for ages on my face.

[BlackNoSugar]

A patch test doesn't mean you mix all the dye. You take a tiny bit of the dye and a tiny bit of the developer, mix them together, and dab it on. The rest of the dye and developer stay in their separate containers. They're perfectly safe - they won't 'go off' once you open them, that only happens once they're mixed. It's the freshly mixed solution that you're supposed to use immediately and then discard.

It amazes me that hairdressers don't offer the option of having a patch test done prior to a 'professional' dye job. (Or do they? None of mine have ever offered it).

[Owllady]

My hairdresser does a patch test 48 hours before if it's a new product

I hope your GP was helpful OP

[HellKitty]

Op, just be warned that if this was a reaction to the dye then you will probably never be able to dye your hair again. I'm also pretty sure that any future tattoos (just in case you were planning!) would also give you a reaction.

[ToffeeWhirl]

I agree with previous posters who say you must do a test each time. My hairdresser has very strict rules about testing. I have to wear a patch to test for 48 hours before I have my hair dyed by them. It's not worth risking an allergic reaction.

I hope your reaction has settled down, op, and that the GP is reassuring.

[ToffeeWhirl]

My mum, on the other hand, has had her hair highlighted for years and has never been asked to do a patch test first. She is baffled when I do it and always says I shouldn't bother. Maybe you don't need to test before highlights though?

[HellKitty]

Toffee, highlights don't touch the scalp, or shouldn't, so shouldn't be a problem.

[Owllady]

I have a patch test before highlights too!