How to Treat Allergy to Shampoo

Updated on June 14, 2014
C.W. asks from Lutherville Timonium, MD
11 answers

My daughter came home from an overnight and said that immediately after using the hotel shampoo her head started itching. 4 days later and it still itches. I have checked multiple times for lice and found nothing. Her scalp looks red in certain areas probably from scratching. Anyone have any ideas on how to relieve the itch?

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I would call the pediatrician. I wonder if the shampoo had silicone (like dimethicone) in it. I'm highly allergic to that and it makes my scalp itch like crazy.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

If it were my daughter, I'd call the doctor ASAP.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'd call the pediatrician before the weekend.
Best!

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Try a shampoo and conditioner with Tea Tree Oil in it.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would try the tea tree oil shampoo (one of the major companies makes a shampoo & conditioner with it in there) or try head and shoulders anti itch shampoo. My son's head itches when his allergies are really bad and the head and shoulders helps.

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Z.B.

answers from Toledo on

If it really is an allergic reaction, I would give her Benedryl.

But I would take her to the doctor just to be safe. It really could be any number of things, so I'd want to have the doctor take a look and ask her some questions to rule things out.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

It is possible she is allergic to the shampoo. I have problems with that. I now carry an epi pen because I actually had an anaphylaxis allergic reaction.
I immediately stopped using the new shampoo. I took a shower with my old shampoo and really made sure I washed and rinsed completely. You can also use a white vinegar rinse to help wash away the residue of the new shampoo.
It's a very real allergy. It is not a stretch that she could be allergic to it. Mine started as just an itchy scalp and steadily grew over a week as I kept being exposed to it.
I would give her some Benadryl and take her in to see her doctor.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Get some Children's Benedryl. Give her 1/4-1/2 teaspoon. There is NO need to give her even half a dose and she doesn't need a whole dose.

This small amount should relieve the itching and make the redness go away. If her normal shampoo doesn't do this to her then it was something at the hotel that she doesn't come in contact with all the time.

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C.B.

answers from Boston on

My daughter's skin is super sensitive and had the same itch reaction. After trying many we found she can only use Burt's Bees shampoo and conditioner. Both CVS and Target carry their products and they can be purchased online.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

You're assuming it's the shampoo and that she has an allergy? That's a big stretch. Did she use any other products there or do anything else in the hotel, such as use the hotel pool (which might be over chlorinated, for example)?

Could it be something else? There have been big stories about bed bugs in hotels, for example. But if this problem is just in her scalp (and yes, I think the scratching is aggravating it), that may not be it.

I'd give your hairdresser a call and see if there is a professional product that can relieve scalp itching, and I'd try some anti-itch topical creams if you can get to the few places that are red. Try to wrap her head in a towel so she can't get under it to scratch, and you could try some generic benadryl (it may make her drowsy).

If it persists, it's probably not the shampoo because any residues would have been washed away.

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