@kelsmom I do have a child in college and plan to explore this site for that but stumbled upon it/your thread when googling hair color allergies. Wondering if you figured out what ingredient you are allergic to and if you found a hair color that does not have it or did you decide to stop coloring? I suddenly developed an allergy after coloring for years. I don’t feel ready to go gray. I have tried different hair colors the last 4 times hopeful that they would be the one I could safely use. The last 2 were PPD free and ammonia free and each reaction worse and worse. Last one made me realize I cannot just try different brands (even nervous to patch test any of them) as I got blisters all over my head and skin around hair line that kept making new blisters for days and days even on Benadryl. Miserable itching and seemed to never end. I am doing a T.R.U.E patch test with an allergy doctor next month but it doesn’t test for all ingredients and if I am or am not allergic to PPD I must be allergic to something else as well since last 2 were PPD free. Dr said to bring any hair color I am interested in trying to the patch test for him to add to the test but nervous after that last reaction and they say they get worse each time. Hoping you found something that works for you or if you decided to stop trying. Looking forward to learning about things pertaining to my college student also now that I found this site even though a round about way. Thanks in advance. Question for anyone and any advice appreciated.
Nothing wrong with gray.
^Says a man, ha. My running partner went gray a few years ago. She tells me you can’t believe the difference in how people treat you. I’m just not ready for that yet.
I get burning with home dye but not the salon color. My salon uses Aveda. Are you buying from stores or working with a salon? An experienced coloring professional might have ideas for you.
I’m potentially in the same boat as you. In the past several years, I’ve developed allergies to sunscreens. I thought I’d figured out what ingredient(s) I was allergic to, and then recently I reacted to a sunscreen that didn’t have any of those. A week later, I dyed my hair, and I think I mildly reacted to the dye. The itching was so bad that I asked my hair stylist to check me for lice when I went to get my hair cut about a week after dyeing it!
We talked about patch testing next time I dye my hair, but she also suggested going to Whole Foods and checking out their dyes. She has another client who developed allergies and found she could still use organic ones. I am going to check that out and will definitely patch test one if I decide to go this route.
Found this on Madison-Reed site (never heard of them before but they make a product that reduces as many allergens as they can. Someone still had a reaction (sounds like you) and this was their response.
" Regarding other options. You are using a shade that could be easily matched to a henna shade which tends to be a good option for those who are sensitive to permanent color. Be sure to choose one without metallic salts. You can also try a semi-permanent color line designed for gray coverage. We recommend you patch test for anything and everything you try. 
"
My hairstylist started using a new dye that made me itch like crazy, so much so that I told him to rinse it out at once. He went back to the old dye, and now I have no problems.
I also once had a horrible allergic reaction to a new sunscreen I tried. Everywhere I’d applied the sunscreen-- and that was most of me, because it was a hot day-- itched unbearably for a week, unrelentingly. I was miserable until finally I went to a doctor who smacked the allergy with a big dose of prednisone. I went back to my old sunscreen. I don’t use any other sunscreen now, because of the memory of that misery.
The ingredient that usually triggers the allergies in hair dye is para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Some newer permanent and semipermanent hair dyes that have replaced PPD with para-toluenediamine sulfate (PTDS) are now available.
See if you can find dyes that have substituted the PPD with PTDS.
Thank you so much for replying! I so appreciate all the ideas and personal experiences.
To answer (not sure how this site works so just a general reply to all) I have done both salon color and have touched up roots myself in between for years with no problem. I did see an allergy Dr and he said his dad patch tested as allergic to PPD but his dad’s stylist uses matrix color insider with good results. My hair dresser tried it and I had a terrible, worst so far reaction (the time before the one I posted about) Redness and itching on scalp and all around and scabs I thought were from my itching. That was my first reaction beyond just itching and redness. I went to a different hair dresser that I went to years ago but she is hard to get into just because my hairdresser said he was out of ideas. This one found a vegan, non ppd, “clean line” as she described it. The brand is called Keune Paris So Pure Natural Balance. A European brand that is supposed to have limited allergens, no PPD and ammonia free. I was hopeful this would be the one. The color was so pretty and did cover gray and last a long time.
That reaction scared me. My body kept making blisters that would pop out and make scabs. This went on for at least 4 days. New blisters just kept forming, like water blisters then popping, scabing and new ones forming. It seemed to never get better or slow down until about day 5. Was happening on scalp, around hair line, forehead and with such miserable itching and it seemed to get worse each day rather than better. I was even taking Benadryl and xyzol that entire time. Was rough to concentrate at work but I work in a hospital and figured I was already near the ER with plenty of doctors and nurses and emergency drugs. I am joking.
I really want to figure out which ingredient I am allergic to because I must be allergic to something other than PPD since the last 2 were PPD free.
I am nervous to try henna because I don’t know what ingredient I am allergic to and last one was supposed to be natural with all kinds of botanical ingredients. Also they say once you use henna other hair color won’t work/absorb so I am hoping the allergy doctor can figure out which ingredient I am allergic to and I can go through ingredient lists and find one minus that ingredient. He said to bring hair color to the intensive patch test and he can patch test it but I want to really study and bring something that has an actual chance rather than just causing another reaction. This time would be doctor monitored but still miserable.
I miss being able to use Redkin Chromatics because the colors are so pretty, hair is shiny and healthy looking and used it for years no problem. They do say that is what happens, an allergy can develop suddenly no matter how many times you have used something without a problem and why they recommend patch testing 48 hours prior to coloring each and every time. I did not understand that and thought if I was going to introduce an allergen/have a reaction I may as well have the gray covered but now I see what a terrible idea that was.
Anyway, I was hoping to hear what brands or options have worked for others if anyone had a sudden allergy to hair color. My hair dresser said some people can tolerate bleach but not hair color. I have dark brown hair so that would be quite a change. I was hoping to slowly try to go lighter and lighter so that it would be less contrasting with gray and because I read the lighter colors have less amounts of allergy causing ingredients. Another idea she said would be highlights because the color doesn’t touch your scalp if they are carful. Doesn’t cover gray but can help blend. Sorry so long but appreciate all the help!
It could still be the PPD. On the Madison Reed site I mentioned before they said that in a PPD-free hair color they use a different but similar chemical (TDS-toluene something) but it’s possible to have a cross-allergy to that also since that are similar.
The ingredient that usually triggers the allergies in hair dye is para-phenylenediamine (PPD)
Yes, this is what I am allergic to - I went to an allergist to confirm it. PPD and PPD-type chemicals can be in a number of things … I now get a rash from sunscreen with benzone/avobenzone, and the silicon ear pieces on my wire rimmed glasses made my skin blister and weep (so now I have new, all plastic glasses). I will NEVER use any hair dye of any kind (although I did do some bleached-highlights while my hair was growing out, since that is not “dye”). My allergy began with itching for a couple days after my hair being dyed, so we switched dyes (very “natural” dye each time). Then one time a couple days after my hair was dyed I had terrible itching/weeping/crusting for a few days, followed by suddenly looking like a puffer fish. I was stupid to ignore the initial reactions. Any future reaction will be worse, so my hair is now 100% gray. I thought I would hate it, but I actually really like it.
I agree that TDS-toluene should be avoided if there is a PPD allergy. That is one of the things on the list of things that can cause reactions that the allergist gave me. Possible cross-reactions: Some persons allergic to PPD will also react to black rubber mix, parabens, benzocaine group anesthetics, PABA family sunscreens, and azo dyes, especially orange and yellow, often in ballpoint pens. There is this, too: PARAPHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD) also called…4-phenylenediamine, 1,4-diaminobenzene, 1,4-benzenediamine, 4- aminoaniline, or p-diaminobenzene. Some very closely related agents are p-toluenediamine, p-aminodiphenylamine, 2,4-diaminoanisole, o-aminophenol, and p-aminoazobenzene.
I react negatively to so many products, but suffer no reaction from Aveda hair color.
Aveda was an issue for me. It’s the chemical, not the brand, in my case. There could be the tiniest trace of PPD & I will have an issue. The chemical patch test proved that … I thought I was going to lose it, I itched so much while that thing was on my back (it had to stay there for a couple days).
Sounds pretty clear to me that your only real option is to give up hair color. How old are you?
Age doesn’t really matter anymore. I never died my hair. People think I “do something” to make my hair be Smokey ash blonde.
Is there an organic salon near you?
My mom reacts to everything but reacts less at the organic salon. I think she should just stop dyeing but she keeps going. I’m afraid of what could happen. The worst teaction so far triggered blistery hives on her trunk and not just her head that continued for weeks.
My roots are coming in terribly right now but I’m in allergy mode and reacting to foods I usually can tolerate. So I have decided to hold off on coloring right now to avoid any potential reactions to hair color.
I had a reaction (mild itching and rash) to a dye my previous hair salon used, so my stylist mixed in a package of Sweet n Low (the nasty fake sweetener). She learned the trick at a conference. It worked. I have not had a problem with anything my current stylist uses, and I have a three process treatment (root cover-up, high and low lights.) I am wary of organic salons because botanical products are much more likely to cause an allergic reaction. I have never been able to use Aveda products for this reason.
The only horrendous reaction I had was to the Brazilian straightening treatment. I never want to repeat that.
@MaineLonghorn yep. I’m not ready to go there either.
I am 58 - I went gray at 57. Honestly, I get so many compliments on my hair - and I assure you that I did NOT want to go gray! 
Yes, tend to be pretty allergic. I notice there are times I’m more allergic than others. For example, when I was pregnant, my allergies were more easily triggered than normal. When I am exeecising and very healthy, i tend to have fewer and milder allergic reactions in general. My H and kids have had similar experiences with their allergies. Sorry you’re having these issues. They sound awful!
I’ve given up perms and never dyed my hair as I prefer to minimize my exposure to chemicals as I have known sensitivities to more things than I’d like. I have not gotten much silver or grey and H had far more.