The importance of skin testing should of course never be underestimated, especially when applying products to your hair and scalp.
Allergy emergencies are on the rise in England, with cases requiring hospital admission or medical intervention doubling in recent years as this data shows. By skin or patch testing products, you’re taking all the necessary steps to prevent potentially dangerous and even fatal reactions.
All wig products – whether that’s wig adhesive, tape or remover – need to be patch tested, and with these tests so easy to perform, there’s no excuse to skip this step. Once the patch test is completed however, what happens next?
In this blog post, we look at the worst case scenario to help you understand exactly what to do should you suffer an adverse allergic reaction to a patch tested wig product.
When patch testing a wig product, a positive reaction is pretty easy to see. For a mild reaction, it’s likely that you’ll experience itchiness in the affected area. The area where the product was applied may also be raised.
Positive patch tests can cause a pigment change that goes beyond the red or pink colouring synonymous with allergic reactions. An increase or decrease in skin pigment may be noticeably for several months after the patch test.
For more severe reactions, the symptoms are notably more intense. Blistering is a common symptom of a strongly positive patch test. While most symptoms clear up in a matter of days, some people suffer a persistent reaction that only fades after two to three weeks. For eczema sufferers or those with sensitive skin, a positive patch test may trigger a temporary flare-up of eczema. In very rare cases, scarring can also occur.
The saying “better safe than sorry” certainly applies if you suffer a reaction and your patch test fails. If your skin does react, don’t waste any time. Even a slight reaction is an obvious indicator that the product you patch tested is a BIG no-no.
Abort the patch test right away, washing the area thoroughly with a gentle cleanser. You may want to apply a medicated cream topically to ease symptoms like itchiness and inflammation. 1% hydrocortisone cream for instance can be purchased over the counter.
When patch testing a wig product, or any product for that matter, you have to be aware of when to seek medical help. Timing is everything when suffering an allergic reaction. MedicalNewsToday shares the symptoms say it’s time to call your doctor:
“If a person experiences skin irritation, it is advisable to contact a dermatologist to help manage their symptoms. Particularly if they experience a severe reaction and do not get relief with a cool compress or petroleum jelly. Additionally, a person may consider seeing an allergist if they suspect ACD.”
You should also seek medical help if the affected area has become infected, your rash hasn’t improved for two to three weeks after the reaction, you develop hives, or experience breathing difficulties.
Here at Wigs4u, we only stock and supply the highest quality products, including top rated wig adhesives, tapes and removers. Whatever your product of choice however, we recommend performing a patch test before full application every time.
