Colouring the hair is a common practice whether it is to hide the greys, change your natural hair colour or highlight and streak certain portions for cosmetic purposes. At times, hair dyes can causes a severe allergy which is usually localised – only affecting the skin of the head. This is known as allergic contact dermatitis. In other instances, the use of a hair dye can have systemic effects – affecting the entire body. A systemic reaction to hair dye is not common but can be quite severe if it occurs.
A pet allergy occurs in sensitive people who are exposed to the hair, fur or saliva of a household pet like a cat or dog. The reaction occurs as a result of coming in contact with the proteins that are within the saliva, fur or hair. These foreign proteins, known as allergens, trigger an immune reaction which cause a range of symptoms.
An allergy is an immune reaction to some substance. In a person with allergies, the body’s immune system overreacts when it comes into contact with certain substances. These stimuli are known as allergens and trigger a range of signs and symptoms that we refer to as an allergic reaction. Allergies are not caused by the allergen – it is only triggered by the allergen.
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