Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSymptomsAllergensWhen to Get HelpTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Symptoms
Allergens
When to Get Help
Treatment
Allergic reactions to shampoo can cause symptoms like redness, itching, swelling, and blisters on the scalp or neck. In some cases, a more severe reaction like anaphylaxis or hives may occur. Common allergens in shampoos include fragrance chemicals, coconut derivatives, and preservatives such asmethylisothiazolinoneandformaldehyde.To treat an allergic reaction to shampoo, rinse the area with water and stop using the product. Apply mildhydrocortisone creamor take an antihistamine to reduce symptoms. If the reaction is severe or the cause isn’t clear, consult a healthcare provider or allergist who can recommend allergen-free shampoos.Image Source / Getty ImagesCan You Be Allergic to Shampoo?Yes, you can be allergic to shampoo. Many common ingredients used in shampoos can be irritating and may trigger reactions in people who are sensitive to them.Allergic reactions occurs when anallergen(an outside substance) like pollen or dust enters the body and the immune system reacts. This sets off a chain reaction.In one type of allergic reaction, the body producesimmunoglobulin E(IgE) antibodies that are specific to an allergen. These antibodies bind to allergens and to immune cells that then release substances that produce the allergic reaction.In anallergic contact dermatitisreaction, the allergen stimulates T cells to react to produce the effects rather than stimulating the production of IgE.Irritant contact dermatitis can also occur, which is not an allergic reaction but produces effects when the irritant damages the skin’s outer layer.While IgE-mediated reactions to shampoos are possible (such as from plant-based proteins in herbal or fruit shampoos like mango or coconut), contact dermatitis would be far more common.Shampoo Allergy SymptomsSymptoms of an allergic reaction to shampoo range from mild to severe, and may include:Redness or irritation on the scalp or neck:This is often the first sign of an allergic reaction, in which the skin becomes inflamed and turns red.Itching or burning sensation:Allergens in shampoos, such as fragrances or preservatives, can cause the skin to feel itchy or burn.Swelling or puffiness in affected areas:When the skin reacts to an allergen, it may swell, leading to puffiness around the scalp or neck.Blisters or bumps on the skin:In more severe reactions, small blisters or raised bumps may form on the skin.Dryness or peeling of the scalp:Prolonged irritation from allergens can lead to dryness, flaking, or peeling of the skin, similar to dandruff.Sun sensitivity:Skin irritation and contact dermatitis can make the affected skin area particularly sensitive to the sun, resulting in heightened redness, burning, and skin peeling when exposed to sunlight.Severe reactions may include hives oranaphylaxis:In extreme cases, the allergic reaction can lead to hives—raised, red welts on the skin—or even anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that may cause difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, or dizziness.An allergic reaction to shampoo can start within minutes to hours. Symptoms of irritation, like redness, itching, or swelling, can appear almost immediately, especially from irritants like fragrance. Contact dermatitis may take 24 to 48 hours to develop due to a delayed immune response.Common Shampoo AllergensThe most common shampoo allergens are fragrance chemicals. Not only are they commonly found in nearly all shampoos, but they are also one of the leading causes of allergic reactions. Common fragrance allergens include linalool, limonene, eugenol, and cinnamal.Other common allergens in shampoo include:Methylisothiazolinone:A preservative frequently used to prevent bacterial growth that has been increasingly linked to contact dermatitisFormaldehyde:A preservative used to prevent bacterial growth that has been linked to allergic skin reactions, eczema, and hair lossPara-phenylenediamine (PPD):A hair dye chemical found in shampoos for color-dyed hair that can trigger allergic reactionsDimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA):A chemical derived from coconut oil that commonly causes allergic reactions, particularly in people withcoconut allergiesAcrylates:Used in some shampoos to enhance texture, acrylates are a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitisLanolin alcohol:A fatty alcohol derived from sheep’s wool that is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, especially after repeated or prolonged skin exposurePropylene glycol:A common moisturizing agent named the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2018Sodium benzoate:A preservative most commonly used in ethnic shampoos that can cause allergic contact dermatitisSulfates:Chemical cleansing agents used to produce foam that may cause irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive peopleWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderSee your healthcare provider if you have:Symptoms of an allergic reaction with an unknown causeSevere skin irritationWidespread hives, or hives on your face, lips, or mouthA skin reaction that doesn’t get better with at-home treatmentsSigns of infection, such as tenderness, redness, warmth, or feverIf you are experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 and get immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to treat anaphylaxis with at-home treatments.Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:Trouble breathingThroat tightness or feeling like the throat is closingHoarseness or trouble speakingWheezing or coughNausea, belly pain, vomiting, and/or diarrheaTrouble swallowing or droolingLow blood pressureA feeling that something bad is about to happenFaintingTreatmentMild irritation like redness and itching can often be treated at home. Applycalamine lotionor hydrocortisone cream to soothe the area, or take an antihistamine to reduce mild allergy symptoms like mild, non-spreading hives.For more severe cases of allergic contact dermatitis, your provider may prescribe a topical steroid cream, or a systemic steroid medication like prednisone if your symptoms are more widespread. It may take up to 10 days for the rash to resolve.SummarySeveral common ingredients used in shampoo are known to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Common shampoo allergens include fragrances, preservatives like formaldehyde, acrylates, and sulfates.If you have severe allergic symptoms or ones that persist, don’t wait to see if they disappear on their own. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or allergist to determine the allergen causing the discomfort.
Allergic reactions to shampoo can cause symptoms like redness, itching, swelling, and blisters on the scalp or neck. In some cases, a more severe reaction like anaphylaxis or hives may occur. Common allergens in shampoos include fragrance chemicals, coconut derivatives, and preservatives such asmethylisothiazolinoneandformaldehyde.
To treat an allergic reaction to shampoo, rinse the area with water and stop using the product. Apply mildhydrocortisone creamor take an antihistamine to reduce symptoms. If the reaction is severe or the cause isn’t clear, consult a healthcare provider or allergist who can recommend allergen-free shampoos.
Image Source / Getty Images
Can You Be Allergic to Shampoo?
Yes, you can be allergic to shampoo. Many common ingredients used in shampoos can be irritating and may trigger reactions in people who are sensitive to them.
Allergic reactions occurs when anallergen(an outside substance) like pollen or dust enters the body and the immune system reacts. This sets off a chain reaction.
In one type of allergic reaction, the body producesimmunoglobulin E(IgE) antibodies that are specific to an allergen. These antibodies bind to allergens and to immune cells that then release substances that produce the allergic reaction.
In anallergic contact dermatitisreaction, the allergen stimulates T cells to react to produce the effects rather than stimulating the production of IgE.
Irritant contact dermatitis can also occur, which is not an allergic reaction but produces effects when the irritant damages the skin’s outer layer.
While IgE-mediated reactions to shampoos are possible (such as from plant-based proteins in herbal or fruit shampoos like mango or coconut), contact dermatitis would be far more common.
Shampoo Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to shampoo range from mild to severe, and may include:
An allergic reaction to shampoo can start within minutes to hours. Symptoms of irritation, like redness, itching, or swelling, can appear almost immediately, especially from irritants like fragrance. Contact dermatitis may take 24 to 48 hours to develop due to a delayed immune response.
Common Shampoo Allergens
The most common shampoo allergens are fragrance chemicals. Not only are they commonly found in nearly all shampoos, but they are also one of the leading causes of allergic reactions. Common fragrance allergens include linalool, limonene, eugenol, and cinnamal.
Other common allergens in shampoo include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if you have:
If you are experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 and get immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to treat anaphylaxis with at-home treatments.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Mild irritation like redness and itching can often be treated at home. Applycalamine lotionor hydrocortisone cream to soothe the area, or take an antihistamine to reduce mild allergy symptoms like mild, non-spreading hives.
For more severe cases of allergic contact dermatitis, your provider may prescribe a topical steroid cream, or a systemic steroid medication like prednisone if your symptoms are more widespread. It may take up to 10 days for the rash to resolve.
Summary
Several common ingredients used in shampoo are known to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Common shampoo allergens include fragrances, preservatives like formaldehyde, acrylates, and sulfates.
If you have severe allergic symptoms or ones that persist, don’t wait to see if they disappear on their own. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or allergist to determine the allergen causing the discomfort.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Knijp J, Bruynzeel D, Rustemeyer T.Diagnosing lanolin contact allergy with lanolin alcohol and amerchol L101.Contact Derm. 2019 May;80(5):298–303. doi:10.1111/cod.13210
McGowan M, Scheman A, Jacob S.Propylene glycol in contact dermatitis: A systematic review.Dermatitis. 2018 Feb;29(1):6-12. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000307
Tawfik M, Rodriguez-Homs L, Alexander T, Patterson S, Okoye G, Atwater A.Allergen content of best-selling ethnic versus nonethnic shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.Dermatitis. 2021 Apr;32(2). doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000668
Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis.
Nemours Kids Health.Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
Yale Medicine.Allergic contact dermatitis.
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