Claim For An Allergic Reaction To Bleach Hair Dye

Allergic reaction to bleach hair dye

Allergic reaction to bleach hair dye guide

By Danielle Newton. Last Updated 10th May 2023. In this article, we will show how we can help you if you’ve been affected by an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye. While many people use hair dye products without problem, there are times when they can result in allergic reactions. As a result, the person affected can suffer irritation, pain and sometimes life-threatening injuries.

In this guide, we’ll look at whether a hairdresser or hair dye manufacturer could be sued if you’ve suffered after using a bleach hair dye. We’ll also look at the symptoms that can be caused by hair dye reactions, what injuries can be caused and how much compensation you might be able to claim.

Making a personal injury claim is not always the easiest action to take. Therefore, you may wish to take on some support. Our advisors are here to help. They provide free claims reviews along with free legal advice about your options.

If it looks like you could win your case, we could refer you to a personal injury lawyer from our panel. They want to provide legal representation to as many people as possible and, as a result, provide a No Win No Fee service for all claims they work on.

To see if you could start an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye claim right away, why not call us on 0800 408 7825 today? Alternatively, to learn more about claiming for a hair dye allergy, please read on.

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What Is An Allergic Reaction To Bleach Hair Dye?

Many people use beauty treatments every day. Hair dye is something that could be applied at home or in a beauty salon. Before the procedure is applied, the instructions will usually suggest a skin patch test to check if you react to the ingredients in the dye. Where this isn’t done, or the hair dye used is different to one that passed the patch test, you could be entitled to seek damages for any subsequent suffering.

One of the most common skin reactions caused by hair dyes is called contact dermatitis. This is a treatable condition but will still cause some irritation until it clears up.

A much more dangerous allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. This is potentially fatal and is a medical emergency.

We’ll look more at the symptoms of an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye as we progress through this guide.  We will also look at why allergic reactions affect some people, when somebody else might be liable for your suffering and what amount of compensation could be awarded.

With any type of personal injury claim, a time limit will apply. Generally, you’ll have 3 years to start your claim from the date of your treatment. However, there are some circumstances where the limitation period could start later if your symptoms do not present immediately. This is called the date of knowledge.

If you would like to ask any questions about making an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye claim, please feel free to speak with our advisors.

Why Do Allergic Reactions To Bleach Hair Dye Happen?

Now that you understand what an allergy to bleach hair dye is, you might wonder, ‘how can you be allergic to bleach?’. With any form of bleach, an allergic reaction could occur due to some of the components used to make it.

One ingredient commonly found in hair dyes is paraphenylenediamine (PPD). The NHS says that PPD is one of the most frequent causes of hair dye reactions.

This substance may act as an irritant causing direct damage to your skin, such as contact dermatitis or a chemical burn. Furthermore, PPD may also act as an allergen and trigger an allergic reaction that impacts your skin.

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system detects an allergen and sends antibodies to defend your body from any harm. One of the more common chemicals released is histamine, which may cause many of the symptoms of allergies.

If you’ve had a bleach allergic reaction and could prove it was caused by negligence, get in touch with us at any time to discuss a potential claim.

What are the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Hair Bleach?

The answer to the question, “can you be allergic to bleach?” is yes. Hair dye, in and of itself, can lead to minor irritation and inflammation to parts of the body, such as the neck, forehead, eyelids or ears. However, if you’re allergic to bleach, it can cause symptoms such as:

  • Itchy, watering eyes
  • Swollen tongue, lips, face or eyes
  • Red, dry and cracked skin
  • A runny, itchy or blocked nose
  • Chest tightness, a cough and shortness of breath
  • An itchy, raised, red rash

If you’re allergic to bleach, the side effects of bleaching hair can be more severe, even potentially causing anaphylaxis. This can result in you suffering from:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • A fast heartbeat
  • Anxiety and confusion
  • Feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Wheezing
  • Clammy skin

The NHS states that if someone is suffering from anaphylaxis, an ambulance should be called immediately. This is because it can be very serious if not treated quickly.

If you would like to know if you’re able to claim, please contact our advisors for free using the above details. They offer legal advice, can give you a compensation estimate and can even connect you with a solicitor from our panel who could help you claim.

How Do You Treat An Allergic Reaction To Bleach Hair Dye?

For minor allergic reactions, rinsing the affected area may help relieve symptoms. Alternatively, steroid cream could help. This is available over the counter or stronger creams can be prescribed.

In cases of anaphylaxis, adrenaline may need to be administered as soon as possible. This can be applied by an auto-injector if the person has one or by the emergency services. Again, the NHS advice is to call 999 in emergencies.

Can You Sue A Hairdresser For An Allergic Reaction?

The process of making a claim will require you to show that:

  • The hairdresser was negligent; and
  • You suffered an allergic reaction as a result.

So what would count as negligence in the case of making an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye claims? Well, it could include if the hairdresser:

  • Failed to warn you of the risks of the treatment.
  • Didn’t conduct a patch test prior to treatment.
  • Knowingly used out of date dye or a different dye than advertised.

It’s worth noting that claims can be made by first-time users of hair dyes as well as those who have their hair treated regularly.

We’re often asked how long allergic reaction claims take. The answer is that it depends on whether the defendant accepts that they were liable for your injuries. If they do so quickly, the claims process could be completed in a matter of months. Where liability is contested, the process could take longer.

To check if you have a valid hair dye allergic reaction claim, why not get in touch today?

Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye – Examples Of Evidence

As stated above, you need to prove that the hairdresser’s negligence caused an allergic reaction to hair dye and you suffered as a result if you wish to claim. There are different types of evidence you could submit to prove your allergic reaction to hair dye claim. These could include:

  • Witness contact details.
  • Medical records if you sought treatment following suffering from the side effects of bleach on your scalp.
  • Product packaging or samples.
  • Photos of the injuries, for example, if there is any swelling due to a bleach allergy.

The above list is not exhaustive for allergic reactions to hair dye claims. The evidence that could help you will be personal to your specific claim.

If you are thinking about making an allergic reaction to hair dye claim, you may wish to seek legal advice. You can call to speak to our advisors about what evidence could be submitted to support allergic reactions to hair dye claims.

Example Compensation Payouts for an Allergic Reaction to Bleach

If you’re making a personal injury claim due to a bleach allergy reaction, there are two potential heads of claim if you’re able to prove that the incident was caused by negligence.

The pain and suffering caused by the injury can be compensated through general damages. In the Judicial College Guidelines, there are bracket compensation amounts relating to a variety of injuries that solicitors often use to help them when they calculate your claim.

We have used these bracket amounts in the table below. These have been taken from the most up-to-date version of the guidelines, published in April 2022. Please remember that these figures are not guarantees as every claim is unique.

InjuryNotesCompensation Bracket
Moderate Brain Damage (iii)In this bracket, the claimant suffers with concentration and memory problems, which impact their ability to work. There is also a small epilepsy risk.£43,060 to £90,720
Less Severe Facial ScarringThe claimant has suffered substantial disfigurement and a significant psychological reaction.£17,960 to £48,420
Significant Facial ScarringThe claimant will have or has had plastic surgery reducing the effects of the scars. However, there is some cosmetic disability. If there was a psychological reaction, this has diminished to minor proportions. £9,110 to £30,090
Body ScarringIn this bracket, there may be a number of noticeable scars or a single disfiguring scar.£7,830 to £22,730
Lung Damage (f)In this bracket, the injured party suffers some slight breathlessness. It has no impact on their work ability. They are likely to make a substantial and permanent recovery within a few years of the reaction.£10,640 to £20,800
Dermatitis (b)The claimant suffers dermatitis of one, or even both hands. It lasts for a significant period of time but settles with treatment or the use of gloves for specific tasks.£8,640 to £11,410
Hair Damage (a)The claimant has suffered damage to their hair, which includes dermatitis, eczema or a tingling/burning sensation of their scalp. This then causes dry, brittle hair which breaks off or falls out. They suffer distress, depression, embarrassment and an inhibited social life.£7,340 to £11,020
Hair Damage (b)In this bracket, the claimant suffers minor dermatitis, eczema and tingling/burning sensation in their scalp causing dry, brittle hair that falls out, along with distress and depression. The award considers how long regrowth will take. £3,950 to £7,340
Non-Traumatic Injury To The Digestive System (iv)The claimant suffers varying levels of disabling pain that continues for some days or weeks.£910 to £3,950

As part of the claims process, you may also need to attend an independent medical assessment to fully determine the nature of your injuries. Depending on the accident and how allergic you are to bleach, the effects can range from minor to very severe. The assessment will be performed by a medical professional. It can be used to determine aspects like:

  • How badly the injury has impacted your life
  • Whether any permanent side effects have been caused
  • The severity of the injury
  • To what degree the accident may have caused your injuries. For example, if you already suffer from eczema, the accident may have worsened the condition as opposed to causing it. You can still claim if negligence has exacerbated an ongoing health issue. However, you can only claim for the harm caused by the negligence so you wouldn’t be able to claim for the pre-existing condition itself.

You may also be able to claim for financial losses caused by the injury. These could be claimed under special damages and might include loss of earnings, travel costs, home adjustments and healthcare costs. You would need financial evidence, such as receipts, invoices and bank statements, illustrating the value of your losses.

Getting Help From A No Win No Fee Solicitor

If you suffered an allergic reaction to hair dye due to a hairdresser breaching their duty of care, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. One of the solicitors on our panel could help you with your case. Additionally, they may offer to work with you under a type of No Win No Fee arrangement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

When working with a No Win No Fee solicitor, they won’t charge you any upfront or ongoing fees. If your solicitor is successful with your claim, they will take a success fee out of your compensation award. The percentage they can take as a success fee is limited by the law. However, if your claim does not succeed, your solicitor won’t ask for payment for their services.

If you have any questions about how to claim for a bleach allergy, get in touch with our advisors for help and free advice. If you have an eligible case, they could connect you with one of the solicitors on our panel.

To talk to an advisor:

Further Help With Allergic Reaction Claims

How To Claim Compensation – A more general look at making personal injury claims.

Medical Assessments – Provides advice on what to expect during your medical assessment.

Lost Wages Claims – Advice on claiming back any lost earnings.

Beautician: Key Messages – Information from the Health and Safety Executive about handling chemicals used in beauty treatments.

The Hair Council – A body for hairdressing professionals that aims to maintain high standards in the industry.

Itchy Skin – NHS advice on dealing with itchy skin.

We also have some other guides you may find useful:

Thanks for visiting today to read our guide on claiming for an allergic reaction to bleach hair dye.

Article by RA

Publisher UI