Scalp Irritiation from Beauty Parlor Visit

[gregl]

My sister had a perm and coloring session a couple of days ago and has had intense burning and itching of scalp since. No rash or visible irritation but intense burning and itching. She shampooed again and returned to the shop who also shampooed her head and claimed to have applied an antidote. She is still suffering and wondered if there are any over the counter things that might offer her relief until she can get to  doctor monday.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Cool compresses or ice packs should help.  If your sister were actually allergic to some product or coloring, an uncommon but occasional occurrence, she would a lot more than burning--she would have a lot of swelling, redness, and so forth.  So although I'm not sure that the irritation had a specific cause, her doctor should be able to prescribe a topicval cortisone scalp preparation like clobetasol or betamethasone, which should alleviate the symptoms more quickly.  As far as future treatments and perms, I wouldn't rule them out by any means, even after this.  Her doctor will be able to advise her on this too.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff