View Full Version : burning sensation while shampooing?
banglaminerva
August 23rd, 2008, 10:44 AM
I'm posting this on behalf of a friend. She feels a very strong burning feeling on her scalp when she shampoos her hair. She's tried a range of shampoos and tried baby shampoo on my recommendation and nothing makes a difference. It's strong enough that she postpones shampooing for several days to avoid it.
She did ask a dermatologist about this and he reaction was basically along the lines of 'really? never heard of that' end conversation.
Any thoughts, comments, suggestions would be appreciated. TIA!
danacc
August 23rd, 2008, 10:52 AM
Hmmm. Well, there's the obvious answer of consult another physician!
You said she tried a range of shampoos; did she pay attention to the ingredients to know whether she also tried a range of cleansing agents? Most shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) along with sudsing agents all of which can be harsh. If she hasn't done so already, look for sulfate-free shampoos. If the scalp is still burning, try to find shampoos with different cleansing agents to try. Also try paraben-free.
She may want to try CO washing to see if that will keep both her scalp and hair happy. If she goes this route, make sure to use a 'cone-free conditioner. Diluted baking soda washes or shampoo bar washes, rinsed well and followed with a diluted vinegar rinse is another option that works well for some, and not-so-well for others hair-wise.
NurseMama
August 23rd, 2008, 11:05 AM
Sounds like a possible SLS sensitivity.
Starr
August 23rd, 2008, 11:49 AM
Well my first thought would be if shampoo is making her scalp burn, then maybe she should stop using shampoo and try something else to cleanse her scalp. . . just a suggestion.
Nynaeve
August 23rd, 2008, 11:53 AM
Sounds like a possible SLS sensitivity.
Agreed.
I would see if perhaps she has tried shampoos without SLS. If not, I would have her try one.
Maybe she could try watering down her shampoo? Getting an empty bottle, putting a little bit of shampoo and some water and trying that instead of the full concentration.
If she is still having problems with an SLS (or other possibly harsh detergent cleanser) then I would suggest she try conditioner only for a while.
HTH
Edit: Also, has she tried shampoo bars? I know that due to allergies, I get burning sensations from a lot of different products, including most sunscreens (esp when used on the face or scalp) so I think she is probably allergic to something.
kwaniesiam
August 23rd, 2008, 12:06 PM
Or just cut out all shampoo. Talk to her about CO or baking soda washes.
brightonwoman
August 23rd, 2008, 12:07 PM
I have had this a couple of times in my life, but never in the long-term...and in my case I think it was because I had broken skin (bad bug bite situation for example) and that part was of course really sensitive to the shampoo.
I would agree with everyone who suggested an allergy/sensitivity, and SLS sure seems like a probable culprit. I would probably suggest washing with baking soda at least once to get a good deep clean, and then going with CO or shampoo with no SLS. (I'm still kinda new to this, but I had a really good experience with baking soda and am inclined to pursue mostly CO with just the occasional baking soda -poo)
Tressie
August 23rd, 2008, 12:49 PM
Sounds like an allergy. Just a thought, and it may be a stupid observation, but does she have a habit of scratching her head? I used to sit and read or do paperwork with one hand in my hair and before I realized it I would be scratching away. This could be due to a scalp condition, dry skin or allergy to shampoo...., but it results in small, sometimes larger lesions from the scratching; and then when you shampoo........OUCH! This may not apply at all, but it can be a habit, and start a cycle of recurring problems with scalp skin!:rolleyes: Hope she finds out what the trouble is!:)
banglaminerva
August 23rd, 2008, 09:01 PM
You all are fabulous as I knew you would be! I too figured it was an allergy, but thought cones instead of SLS. Hear hooves--- think horses not zebras, eh?
Tressie, I did ask about scratching but she doesn't do that and it's generalized rather than spotty.
Thanks, everyone!
Angellen
August 23rd, 2008, 11:47 PM
I also agree with the shampoo bar suggestion. Provided it's a chemical sensitivity or somesuch and going sulfate free doesn't work, I'd suggest trying 'poo bars. There's a bit of a transition period, but they are a lot more mild/gentle.
intothemist1999
August 24th, 2008, 08:21 PM
I'd be thinking allergy, too.
I was asking about wheat products on other threads. Some shampoo bars I was eyeballing have wheat germ/oil in them. That can be a problem if one is allergic to wheat. I'm surprised how often it appears!
I wonder if hydrolyzed wheat protein is a problem for those with wheat allergies.
I hope she can sort it out! Keep us posted!
.
longhairedfairy
August 24th, 2008, 08:27 PM
Sometimes I get a burning feeling when shampoo gets rinsed onto the shoulder-neck area, especially in winter or when my skin is particularly sensitive. My bet is also on the shampoo.
Adrienne
August 24th, 2008, 11:22 PM
When I use certin con. I get that!! one time it was a Con heavy with pepermint and rosemary oil :oops: I so gave that to a friend with a less senstive scalp and she loved it! sometimes when I go to the dollar store and buy old. discontinued. herbal essneses I get the same thing. I think its blackberry mango something. One time it was so bad I thought there might be something else in there and not Con. like relaxer,or a chemical hair dye. or anything. always when I rinse its no biggie. my hair is moisteriezed,soft and not altered in anyway. ( besides moisterizing and softening it. I guess not altered in any UNWANTED way)
I think I just have a sensitive scalp. I have no idea why this happens with certin products. but I have used plenty of products that dont burn me at all, so I am really not that concerend.
I dont really know how to help you friend. :oops: I just wanted to share my experiences.
ladyshannonanne
August 25th, 2008, 12:01 AM
I definitely agree with everyone who is suggesting an SLS/SLES allergy or sensitivity. Even if the burning problem has developed recently and hasn't always been an issue, people can absolutely start having sensitivities and allergies when they haven't in the past.
There are several options: conditioner only wash, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo, or deal with the horrible burning. I'd personally suggest using this as an opportunity to switch to more natural products that don't contain harsh detergents or other irritating ingredients. Avalon Organics Lavender Shampoo has a super mild sulfate (not SLES, something way less harsh). Or, your friend could try using a clay cleanser. There are tons of sulfate-free washes out there--the only thing is, when you switch to a sulfate-free cleanser, you also need to think about using a cone-free conditioner (without the sulfates to remove the cones, the cones can build up and make hair gunky and dull.) The co wash is also a great option and is so very gentle and hair-friendly (just remember, cone-free if you're going sulfate-free!)
Hope that helps.
banglaminerva
August 25th, 2008, 08:32 PM
I haven't heard back from my friend and I'm hoping she doesn't think I'm some kinda hair freak now (shhhh.... we don't need to share everything with everyone!)
I did tell her what to look for and included a list of shampoos that she could buy locally. Hopefully, all of your suggestions will help.
Thanks!
silvurgrin
February 14th, 2015, 09:23 PM
I get a burning sensation when I use certain products, and they don't have to be shampoo's either. There's something in certain hair care products that I react badly to. My scalp start burning, will go red all over, and it will get really dry and flakey. And nothing seems to work. I've tried sulfate and cone free shampoo and conditioner, and my scalp seems to like that, but today I used my Soak n' Float shampoo bar, washed that out with my sulfate free shampoo, and conditioned with my cone free conditioner. My scalp feels like it's on fire, and is red all over. I'll pay for this for days, I'm sure.
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