Possible Dye Allergy (hair-loss) ??

Hi,  My daughter is 17 and had her hair dyed 3months ago.  She had a very bad allergic reaction, her face was puffed up for 5 days (went to hospital).  Now 3 months later, she seems to be getting some bald spots here and there, and a general loss of overall hair in the shower.  We are very worried and she's afraid of loosing more hair.  Also she started taking the birth control pill "Alesse" 3 mths ago.  What am I to do ?  Have you ever heard of this?  and what field of medicine do I contact ?  Is it over or will she loose all her hair ?  Please give me some solutions, it's very stressfull.  Thank you. C.C.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Three months after a "shock" to the system, hair falls out in clumps.  This occurs after childbirth, high fever, sudden and extreme weaight loss, and so forth.  Your daughter's allergic reaction would seem to fall into this category.  This is referred to as a "telogen effluvium," meaning a shedding (effluvium) of hairs in the resting (telogen) stage.  This is alarming but TEMPORARY, subsiding over 3-6 months, after which most, or all, of the hair grows back as the body's normal rhythm reasserts itself.  Treatment is not needed.  Check with a dermatologist to see whether examination confirms my supposition.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff