Allow me to take a moment to whine. If you’re not interested in reading a self-pitying whine-fest, feel free to navigate away now. I won’t be offended, honest.
So, I changed my hair color on Wednesday. I went to an ash brown, and then in a month or two when it fades, my stylist will start putting in the ash blonde–which, for those of you who’ve never seen it–is pretty much my natural color. I freaked out a bit when I realized that the only close friend I have who’s ever seen my natural shade is Mad Madam M, and that’s because we’ve been friends for a decade or so.
Right. There’s the background. On to the whine. Since I went for new color, my stylist used a new brand of dye on me. A brand I’m apparently allergic to. My scalp, ears, and neck are all red and itchy. I look awful. :( The problem is we’re interviewing new librarians at work and I’m on the search committee. There’s no taking time off to dope myself up and wait for the reaction to go away. Nope, I get to be at work, interviewing potential new colleagues, and teaching my students this way. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. :(
For the record, I don’t even have any Benadryl in my house. Why? Because outside of this hair dye the only other thing I’ve ever been allergic in my whole life is bee stings. Thankfully, the campus bookstore stocks the little travel packets of it. So I took some of it, not knowing I’d be particularly exhausted and loopy for the rest of the interview/teaching of the day.
When will it end? When! It still itches two days later!! Just. Kill. Me.
Awwww. That sucks! Hugs hon… It will go away, not fast enough I’m sure. But it will. Hang in there.
by Diana Castilleja October 19th, 2007 at 6:39 amCan’t it go away NOW? I mean, NOOOOOWWWW?? :(
by Crystal Jordan October 19th, 2007 at 6:41 amget you some claritin. It’s non-drowsy and it will help with the reaction, plus you can work while on it!
Hang in there, darling
by Mel-O-Drama October 19th, 2007 at 6:42 amSometimes, even with Benadryl, it takes a while to go away.
I didn’t know that about Claritin, Mel! I’m going to go stock some.
(((Crystal))) on the itchy weltishness. Hope it clears up soonest!
by Sela Carsen October 19th, 2007 at 6:46 amthats terrible - I hope it fades soon. Have you thought maybe soaking your scalp in something that eases rashes/itches?
by Jodie October 19th, 2007 at 6:54 amThanks all. And I can’t do or take much else while I’m at work. We’ll have to see what I can do when I get off. Of COURSE I’m working late today. Ugh!
by Crystal Jordan October 19th, 2007 at 7:00 amOh, Crystal!! So sorry! I hope you feel better soon!
Benadryl’s pretty much the drug of choice. If you’ve already taken that, don’t double up with another med. Wish you could get in to see a doc. They might be able to give you a steroid shot or something to get you over the hump. If it doesn’t go away soon, you should get to the doc anyway.
Hope it goes away fast. These things always happen at the worst possible time…
by Antonia Pearce October 19th, 2007 at 7:24 amYou die your hair! *shocked gasp*
Just kidding honey, I promise. The benadryl takes a little bit to work, especially when the reaction is bad, unless you get it in a shot. Try the benadryl topical cream, we used it on my kid when she got bitten by some kind of bug that left her with welts. She said it reallllly helped the itching. Hugs and good luck baby doll!!!
by Christina Cross October 19th, 2007 at 7:41 amI’m sorry sweety! Hope this clears up fast!
by feisty October 19th, 2007 at 8:09 amThat sucks!
Use it in a story…..the heroine meets the hero at a pharmacy while she frantically searches for Benadryl.
$$$Crystal$$$
by gwen hayes October 19th, 2007 at 9:24 am(money hugs always work for me)
Wow. The only time that ever happened to me was when I got my hair permed. Of course, I think my reaction was due more to the stylist dripping it all over my ears/neck and burning the heebies out of me.
When you’re not busy at work (and when you get home), try wetting a wash cloth or some paper towels with cold water and putting it around your neck. It might help with the itching. I don’t think I’d recommend any anti-itch stuff. But the cold cloth might help temporarily.
Good luck, Crystal!
by Lanie October 19th, 2007 at 9:53 amThanks you guys, I made it through teaching my classes, now on to interviewing new librarians. Itching myself will make JUST the right first impression, don’t you think?
by Crystal Jordan October 19th, 2007 at 10:21 amHow sucky! Sorry that happened. And I hate Benedryl. Yes it works, but it leaves you in some alternate reality of sleep/awake. Or just sleep. Hope it goes away soon!
by Shelli Stevens October 19th, 2007 at 10:33 amDrink lots of scotch. Then your nose will be bright red too, and you will feel really good… and who cares about the opinions!
by WritersWidower October 19th, 2007 at 12:45 pmIf we kill you then what are we going to read?
by tara s nichols October 19th, 2007 at 9:48 pmNo, seriously that really sucks. Don’t they usually do a test strip? I’ve had such horrible hair experiences I’ve blown up my hairdryer over them and burned holes in my sister’s bed sheets! I also no longer go to hairdressers and prefer to let nature take its course. I look like a mop.
The rash and itchiness will go away, yes? It sucks that people will be witness to it. There’s really only one solution to witnesses…
What?
You need a heaping dose of “Poor Baby. I’m so so sorry, Crystal!” Really, it always makes me feel better, and I hope you feel better soon.
So, I can’t take benadryl either. Makes me hyper and agitated until I sleep it off (if that makes sense).
BTW, I loved your hair when I saw you last in Dallas, but understand the need for a change.
by Jill Monroe October 22nd, 2007 at 11:48 amYeah, poor me!
by Crystal Jordan October 22nd, 2007 at 1:02 pm