Severe Hair Dye Reaction: A Lancashire man who suffered an allergic reaction to hair dye has said he was left with a giant ‘balloon head’ like the cartoon character Megamind – leaving his girlfriend ‘unable to look at him’.
Severe Hair Dye Reaction
27-year-old Ryan Brigg’s entire head swelled up due to a severe hair dye reaction, at first in a large tyre-like shape around his forehead, before his entire face followed suit – and he needed to take 25 tablets a day to reduce it.
Ryan, a gas installer from Blackburn, went over to his mum’s house on July 27 and found she’d bought him some black hair dye to help cover up a couple of new grey hairs. Eager to get rid of the grey, Ryan applied the dye immediately. However, this seemingly harmless decision led to a severe hair dye reaction that turned his life upside down.
The 27-year-old admits he didn’t do a patch test before applying the dye, as he didn’t realize it was necessary. Patch tests are crucial in preventing allergic reactions to hair dye, as they allow you to see if your skin will react adversely to the chemicals in the product. According to the NHS, it’s essential to always carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, ‘even if you are using your regular brand’ to avoid severe reactions.
Despite feeling a burning sensation, Ryan assumed this was normal and went to sleep, only to wake up to a scaly rash that had developed around his hairline—a clear sign of a severe hair dye reaction. Ignoring the initial signs, he headed to work as usual, but the situation rapidly deteriorated.
As the day progressed, Ryan was horrified to see his face expanding. His forehead began to swell into a large, tyre-like shape, and soon his entire face followed suit, leaving him with an incredibly itchy and painful ‘balloon head.’ The severe hair dye reaction had taken a toll on his appearance, making it impossible for him to continue with his day-to-day activities.
After being sent home from work by concerned colleagues, Ryan decided to seek medical attention. He went to the hospital, but to his dismay, the medical staff advised him to return the next day if his condition worsened. By this time, the swelling was so severe that his girlfriend couldn’t even look at him, horrified by the transformation caused by the severe hair dye reaction.
The following morning, Ryan awoke to a frightening sight—his face had ballooned to the point that he couldn’t see out of one eye. Realizing the seriousness of his condition, he called for an ambulance and was taken to the hospital. There, doctors diagnosed him with an allergic reaction to paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical commonly found in hair dyes and known to cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals.
PPD is a widely used ingredient in hair dyes, especially darker shades. While it’s effective at delivering long-lasting colour, it can also be a potent allergen. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that even if you’ve used a hair dye before without issues, you can develop an allergy over time. This makes it even more important to perform a patch test every time you dye your hair, as reactions can occur unexpectedly.
Ryan’s ordeal didn’t end there. After spending 13 hours in the hospital, he was discharged at around 3 a.m. without any medication, as the hospital didn’t have it in stock. The next day, he had to call his doctor to get the necessary treatment, as his severe hair dye reaction was still causing significant discomfort and swelling.
Ryan’s girlfriend had to go to the pharmacy to pick up the medication, as Ryan was still unable to see properly. Reflecting on the experience, Ryan said, ‘I should have done a patch test, really, but I didn’t know that you had to do that. I applied the dye, and it did burn a little bit, but I thought that’s what it does. It wasn’t, leading to this severe hair dye reaction.’
Ryan’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with hair dyes, especially when proper precautions, such as patch tests, are not taken. The swelling eventually subsided after a course of strong antihistamines and steroids, but the experience has left Ryan wary of using hair dye in the future.
If you’re considering dyeing your hair, it’s vital to educate yourself about the potential risks. Always read the instructions carefully and perform a patch test at least 48 hours before applying the dye to your hair. For more information on how to safely use hair dyes and prevent allergic reactions, visit Healthline and the British Skin Foundation.
While Ryan’s severe hair dye reaction was extreme, it highlights the importance of being cautious with beauty products. A little extra care can go a long way in preventing similar experiences.
