Allergy to my own hair

Is it possible to be allergic to your own hair? My hair brings out a rash on my face and neck where it touches. This does not happen all of the time but when it does it is extemely itchy and brings out small red spots. This then spreads out to other areas of my body. The problem seems to be worse when I am on my period. I have tried switching shampoos several times but nothing seems to work. I don't know if there is anything I can do apart from have my hair cut extremely short. Any advice?

[PlateletGal]

I guess anything is possible. I once saw a little girl on television who was allergic to water !

Before you cut your hair, you may want to try a couple of more shampoos... perhaps purchase them at a Natural Foods Store ? A lot of shampoos have many of the same ingredients in them. I know Burt's Bee's also has a new shampoo... they sell it at Walgreens. Their Grapefruit and Beet shampoo, according to their website, is 98.20% natural.

If that doesn't work, then you may find out about creams that may help the allergic reaction on your neck.

Good luck !

[cheeny]

Thanks for the comments. i have been trying Australian Organics shampoos and conditioners. I live in England and we aren't fortunate enough to have Burts Bees over here. Luckily my brother lives in Canada so I'll get him to send me some shampoo. i have lots of other Burts Bees stuff but no shampoo! If all else fails I live round the corner from a hairdressers so there's always the 'Britney Shears' option...

[lostangelbearsr]

I have sores but no itching on my head the sores get better when I pull the hair out from the bumps and around the bumps (actually I have a family member do this) If I don't pull the hair I get sever headaches however I shaved my head so to make the hairs smaller and easier to manage and to make the pumps more visible since your problem is not actually on your scalp keeping your hair short might help however for anyone with the scalp problem shaving does not make the problem go away. I am on a prescription strength medicated shampoo and it is not helping at all actually it seems to be making my problem somewhat worse at times. You might consider though ifc you ar3e allergic to your hair it would most likely effect your scalp also and not just your neck and shoulders.

[Llovejojo78]

I was diagnosed with being  allergic 2 my own hair my whole scalp and neck are often red and itchy and at first I thought it was lice.it also comes and goes for about a week at a time every other week however my scalp is constantly itchy. This also happens on my legs and underarms if I don't shave 4 a while.Hope this helps!

[sable032592]

i have these problems too... i get wounds and sores on my head, around my neck, under my ears, on the back of the neck... my hair stylist gave me a shampoo that worked wonders for the itch related to this, but i have to wash my hair everyday, using the shampoo twice, wash once, rinse, was again, wait 5 minutes, then rinse... it has some sort of camphor or something in it, but i'm not sure since i don't have it with me right now, i can't use it when my hair is more exposed to heat and summer sunlight, i'm on vacation in florida right now so i can't use this shampoo, so i didn't bring it and now my head has three very large wounds under the hair... i have also plucked the hairs coming out of the wounds and this helps it heal really fast... i had one big one in the back of my head and had my hair cut around and on it, i had to have it treated with iodine, povidine and pressure bandages... when i get back home, i'm going to go see my doctor to get tested if i'm allergic to my hair...

[gatrocks]

I also had allergies and the amazing thing is the second I cut my hair my body swelling and rash disappeared. I almost can't believe it. My problem was I used shampoos with natural ingredients. We don't really know what they put in their shampoos or how much. I like you got rashes on my neck. All gone now.

[xZombie]

I get a rash around my neck and on my legs arms and underarms if i dont shave... basically anywhere with hair. even my eyebrows. I also have a reaction to other peoples hair like my BF's facial hair causes me to break out in a small rash on my face or where it comes in contact with. i don't suggest cutting your hair super short unless you find a style you really like and can't put up with the rash. i have tried many different shampoo's but nothing seems to help. my advice it you could wear your hair up in different styles when it irritates you. best i can give right now. hope you figure something out :)

[killemallbutsix]

This happens to me too.  My worst spots are my scalp where I still have hair and my chin underneath my goatee.  This has been happening since I was a little kid and often mistaken for simple dandruff.  I have asked a doctor about being allergic to my own hair, and they have said it is impossible, but I do not believe them.  As I have gone bald over the years, my scalp has become clear where I no longer have hair, and if I shave my head and face, the rash clears up within a few days and will not come back as long as I am clean shaven.  Anyone have any solutions to this?  If I could find a doctor who could actually diagnose something rather than just treating symptoms, I would like to have my hair simply removed permanently.

[riannerietje]

I also have allergic reactions to my own hair, but only from hairs that have fallen out (or are about to fall out). When such a hair touches my skin I get a rash and the skin gets swollen.
My father, who is a GP, wouldn't believe me at first, but then I showed him what happens when a hair touches my skin. Now he acknowledges that I get rash from my own hair, but he still says that it shouldn't be possible.

[margypops]

Try using shampoo with out sulphites ..I had same reactions and I switched shampoo they non sulphite shampoos are in the drug stores .