Hypoallergenic hair and face products

[PretzelParadox]

I'm having an allergic reaction to something I'm using on my head or face, it started with contact dermatitis on my eyelids. Now my face and neck are itchy, and burning. I have red blotchy skin, especially after a shower. My scalp is bad too, but I've had problems there for years so this isn't new. Not sure if it's something I'm using in the shower or the heat of it making the reaction worse.
I've spoken to GP and sent photos, she's prescribed an antihistamine and is going to send my photos to Dermatology for advice.

I need to use products that are least likely to cause a reaction in the meantime, but difficult when I don't know what I'm allergic to. Any recommendations for really mild shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturiser?

Fragrance free everything will help

You can get medicated shampoos in boots which will be hypoallergenic

Shower gel and moisturiser are easy to find also - just check the eczema section in the pharmacy

I'm already using a medicated shampoo- head and shoulders. This is my number one suspect for the allergy to be honest! Although I've used it before with no probs, this one has argan oil in it.

The thing is, products you rinse out like shampoo are unlikely to give you an allergic reaction as they’re in contact with your skin for such a short time before being washed off. Whereas something like dry shampoo or deodorant would be in contact with your skin for significantly longer and therefore make you more susceptible to reaction. For that reason I doubt it’s the shampoo but maybe try Nizoral or Coal Tar etc to be super safe

Just use water and a flannel on your face and body then some organic natural oil to moisturise, unscented baby shampoo for hair then argan oil to condition . Keep it simple until it passes then reintroduce things

It's definitely something I'm using on my neck up, as the reaction is limited to this area. At the moment I'm on using shampoo, conditioner, soap and E45 on my head but I'm still reacting to something. I never use dry shampoo, but sometimes use other products like hairspray, but not recently. Like I say the reaction is worse straight after a shower. Believe me I'm totally confused. I have had similar reactions before but its always been really obvious what caused it, and stopped as soon as I stopped using it. Once it was from getting my hair coloured at a certain hairdressers (but have been fine at other hairdressers), I also had reactions to Protect and Perfect Serum and a number 7 mascara.

Maybe shower with water that is as cold as you can possibly stand - hot showers can irritate sensitive skin

I will definitely try a colder shower.

I'm avoiding argan oil as that's in my current shampoo! Baby shampoo makes my scalp worse, I do need a medicated shampoo. I've used Nizoral before so will try that again. I hate coal tar ones they stink! I will definitely need a conditioner because Nizoral makes my hair straw like!

Yeah, don’t wash your face in the shower either. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but rinsing it at the skin makes your skin less sensitive.

Do you use other products like perfume, sun screen, body mists? Even certain skincare ingredients can be irritating - all those acid exfoliants can make your skin more sensitive

Rinsing it at the sink*

I think head and shoulders is full of nasties. It makes my scalp tingle, it's so harsh. I wouldn't use it again. I do well with body shop ginger shampoo for my scalp.

hypoallergen doesn't mean much imo.
I have eczema and when I break out I can't use petroleum based creams as they make it worse.
pp are right that perfumes are the most likely irritants.

I have similar issues though not on scalp.

Hot water makes any dermatitis flare up so try and have it as cool as possible. It may be that your skin is irritated by something you've come into contact with recently rather than are using everyday.

I use Dermol 500 to wash with and zerobase as a moisturiser. Even stuff that says hypoallergenic will have potential irritants in. Both on prescription but think you can get them otc... Push for a dermatologist and patch test if you get no improvement.

I'm not really using anything else. Didn't even use suncreen at the weekend because I was so scared of making it worse.

The daft thing is I'm working from home so using hardly using any products at the moment. I usually wear make up and perfume every day in "normal" times. At the moment I'm not bothering. And my skin thanks me by doing this!

Yes I agree head and shoulders isn't the best but it's cheap and easily available so end up using it a lot. I hate things like Nizoral as they ruin my hair so only use when desperate.

It makes my scalp tingle, it's so harsh.

That’s the thing - a lot of “problematic scalp” shampoos contain things like menthol as it’s supposed to stimulate the scalp etc. Works for some people I suppose

What’s your budget for hair care OP? Kerastase is pricey but well worth it - they do a range of “dermo” shampoos that are great for both the scalp and for the hair

Alternatively you can use something like nizoral on your scalp only, then your regular shampoo on your lengths to maintain your hair condition

I don't want to spend much until I know what's causing the allergic reaction. There's 2 things going on:

1. My original skin problem (eczema/dermatitis)
2. An allergic reaction causing blotchy, itchy, burning skin and contact dermatitis on my eyelids - possibly caused by shampoo I was using to treat problem 1! Or something completely different, I dont know.

Hi
Just wondering what it was and how you cured it . My 1 year old is suffering from something similar . Any advice appreciated thanks .