Shampoo allergy!

[CarpeDM]

Hi All! I just got back from my allergist after having a patch test read. I was surprised to learn that I had an allergic reaction to the natural shampoo I had been using. As a result of the patch test reading, my allergist recommended Free & Clear shampoo. So I looked up the ingredients on Amazon and it looks like a lot of drying chemicals. My question is for those of you out there that might also have allergies to certain shampoos, is it possible to use a natural shampoo without having an allergic reaction? My allergist said that almost all plant based products can create an allergic skin reaction, but I'm hoping it isn't so. I would love to be a water only washer, but I have an oily scalp, so I don't foresee that working out. Does anyone have suggestions based upon similar experiences? Or do I have to just throw my hands up in the air and go buy some Free & Clear shampoo :( ?

P.S. I have 12 unopened bottles (yes I tend to buy in bulk) of Toadstool Shampoo http://www.etsy.com/transaction/74323414 that I just bought and can now not use :( If anyone is interested in buying them for a great price please PM me.

[earthnut]

I have an oily scalp (or at least I thought for many many years that my scalp was oily... I'm not so sure now that it's no longer addicted to shampoo...) and conditioner only worked wonders for my hair. (turned out that an oily scalp wasn't my problem, it was dry hair) I'm now transitioning to water only. You'd be surprised at how much oil can be stripped from your head in a hot water rinse. I've been having to add oil to my head while doing WO.

[spidermom]

"addicted to shampoo" Really?

My DD has an allergy to coconut oil, so we're well aware that natural is not always best around here. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find hair care products without some type of coconut derivative. Anyway, I think the Free and Clear is worth a try. You can dilute it in water if it seems too drying.

Good luck!

[ratgirldjh]

I'm allergic or sensitive (not sure which exactly) to so many things that I never even try shampoo anymore.

Shampoo bars (even with EO's) for some reason don't bother me (at least the one I have now) - but I have had reactions from 'hypo-allergenic' fragrance free products in the past as well as some herbal ones.

It sucks but once this starts it only got worse for me. The first reaction I had was only red welts everywhere the product had touched and washing again quickly worked well for this.

The more this has happened (and which is why I'm afraid to try anything new) I now get respiratory distress and sometimes this does not even come with the welts but comes before!

Be very careful trying new things. I always smell it first and if it seems ok - then I put some on my inner wrist and wait and see - then finally I put some on my scalp (a tiny bit) and let it sit and see what happens.

If I get a reaction it is lots easier to just clean off one tiny spot than to have to frantically wash my hair again and hope I got it all off.

You will eventually find something that works but it took some time for me. This is the reason I usually search out non commercial options to wash my hair with.

Some things that I'm not sensitive to and worked pretty well:

Besan (garbanzo bean flour) - you mix a paste and use it like shampoo. It will even remove a pretty heavy oiling. It does contain protein so I can't do this too often since my hair is protein sensitive.

Borax with a citric acid rinse - This worked better than anything else I have listed. However the borax started to make me feel slightly nauseous when I used it.... funny this was after I found out that some people think it is poisonous...

Eggs - this works amazing! The only thing is my hair always retains the egg smell :( but using some EO's could help if you are not sensitive to them - but some people's hair does not retain the egg smell - I think it depends on how fresh the eggs are.

of course indian herbs may be ok too. However I became sensitive to shikakai after a couple of years.

HTH and good luck!

[CarpeDM]

"addicted to shampoo" Really?

My DD has an allergy to coconut oil, so we're well aware that natural is not always best around here. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find hair care products without some type of coconut derivative. Anyway, I think the Free and Clear is worth a try. You can dilute it in water if it seems too drying.

Good luck!

Well I did bring in coconut oil as well for the patch test and there were no allergic results with the coconut oil. But there was something in the natural shampoo that made my skin react, the ingredient list is: Distilled Water,Coconut Oil,Cocoa Butter, Saponified Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil & is enhanced with 100% Raw Honey and Lemon Juice for a healthy shine & Potassium Sorbate as a preservative. I was also tested for the Cocoa Butter and that turned out fine too. I'm thinking the potassium sorbate might be the culprit, who knows...

[ravenreed]

I am just as allergic to natural products as anything else. One of the most dramatic reactions I ever had was to soapnuts. I immediately broke out in a rash everywhere the foam touched my skin. So I would say go with what you are not allergic to and see how your hair reacts to it.

[earthnut]

"addicted to shampoo" Really?

Certainly. The shampoo would dry my scalp out, causing my scalp to produce too much oil. I couldn't go one day without a greasy scalp. Now that my scalp has gotten accustomed to not using shampoo, my scalp will go weeks without all that much change.

[CarpeDM]

I am just as allergic to natural products as anything else. One of the most dramatic reactions I ever had was to soapnuts. I immediately broke out in a rash everywhere the foam touched my skin. So I would say go with what you are not allergic to and see how your hair reacts to it.

I had given the soapnuts a lot of thought but I was afraid something like that might happen, thanks for posting.

[starlamelissa]

Try baby aquaphor shampoo/wash. No scents, very gentle. Free and clear should be fine, just dilute it if it feels stripping.

[Tabitha]

It could be the lemon juice causing the problem. Not sure how much limonene the juice contains as opposed to the oil from the peel, but citrus EOs (particularly among EOs) are irritants for some people.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking because it's natural, it must be gentle.

[CarpeDM]

It could be the lemon juice causing the problem. Not sure how much limonene the juice contains as opposed to the oil from the peel, but citrus EOs (particularly among EOs) are irritants for some people.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking because it's natural, it must be gentle.

I was thinking about the lemon juice too, but you are right, it is hard to think something so natural like lemon juice or honey could cause a reaction!

[lapushka]

I'd try what the allergist recommended. You have nothing to lose. It might even work wonders for you without drying your scalp and hair out, who knows. And you can always dilute the shampoo!

[spidermom]

Certainly. The shampoo would dry my scalp out, causing my scalp to produce too much oil. I couldn't go one day without a greasy scalp. Now that my scalp has gotten accustomed to not using shampoo, my scalp will go weeks without all that much change.

Oh, o.k. Sounds like "addicted" means something completely different to you than it does to me.

[rags]

I'm allergic to almost every natural shampoo I've tried, and several "normal" ones. I've never tried the Free and Clear, as Redken's Moisture works for me and my hair.

Like someone else said, I will get respiratory (I have asthma) attacks with it as well as hives, so I patch test now when I want to try something new.

I would either try the shampoo the doctor recommended and dilute it (I dilute my Redken a LOT to make it not harsh) or go back to one you know you weren't allergic to and try it.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. :flower:

ETA: Lemon is a know irritant to a lot of people if it's an EO.

[CarpeDM]

I'm allergic to almost every natural shampoo I've tried, and several "normal" ones. I've never tried the Free and Clear, as Redken's Moisture works for me and my hair.

Like someone else said, I will get respiratory (I have asthma) attacks with it as well as hives, so I patch test now when I want to try something new.

I would either try the shampoo the doctor recommended and dilute it (I dilute my Redken a LOT to make it not harsh) or go back to one you know you weren't allergic to and try it.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. :flower:

ETA: Lemon is a know irritant to a lot of people if it's an EO.

Thanks Rags :grouphug:

[RisaMoe]

Ugh, I'm sorry but welcome to the club.

I am very allergic to shampoo and the natural ones seem to be worse than the regular ones. Though others have had success with it, I am quite allergic to Free and Clear - but that's just me. I was able to use it for a couple weeks and then I broke out in hives and had to stop.

I also use the reliable 'sniff test' before I consider trying a new shampoo, but for a patch test I am a fan of samples - lots of samples. Samples get you a small amount, so you can try it once and see what happens. It saves a ton of money when figuring out what you can and cannot use.

Good luck and be patient. It's a pain, but eventually you'll find one or two you can use.

[CarpeDM]

Samples are a good idea!

Right now I'm going to give this one (http://www.naturesparadiseorganics.com/catalog/item/4966682/4994882.htm) a try since I really really don't want to use more chemicals...it only has two ingredients so hopefully it will work out.

[florenonite]

Samples are a good idea!

Right now I'm going to give this one (http://www.naturesparadiseorganics.com/catalog/item/4966682/4994882.htm) a try since I really really don't want to use more chemicals...it only has two ingredients so hopefully it will work out.

You are aware that baby shampoos tend to be quite alkaline, right? Some people don't have a problem with them, especially if they have soft water, but if you live in a place with hard water it can make your hair really rough and icky.

Just something to be aware of.

[CarpeDM]

You are aware that baby shampoos tend to be quite alkaline, right? Some people don't have a problem with them, especially if they have soft water, but if you live in a place with hard water it can make your hair really rough and icky.

Just something to be aware of.

I am willing to try this one out because the unscented version only has water and organic coconut oil soap in it. Since I tested clear on the cocount oil, I'm hoping I can give it a go, fingers crossed!

[florenonite]

I am willing to try this one out because the unscented version only has water and organic coconut oil soap in it. Since I tested clear on the cocount oil, I'm hoping I can give it a go, fingers crossed!

Best of luck!

Are you OK with vinegar? If so, you could try a vinegar rinse if it does bother your hair. You're probably best trying the shampoo by itself first, though.

[CarpeDM]

Best of luck!

Are you OK with vinegar? If so, you could try a vinegar rinse if it does bother your hair. You're probably best trying the shampoo by itself first, though.

I wish! My SO does not like the :hatchet:smell :)

[Anje]

I wish! My SO does not like the :hatchet:smell :)
If you find you need an acid rinse after the shampoo, in that case I'd suggest doing the vinegar rinse, but then rinse it out with your shower water afterward. There might be a little smell left, but it'll be a lot milder than if you leave it in.

[lapushka]

I wish! My SO does not like the :hatchet:smell :)

You could do a rinse with lemon juice instead.