ASK THE DOC Is hair dye dangerous?
I got a cold, three weeks after my last one, is this normal?
Colds usually last three to seven days, but sometimes they hang on as long as two weeks. If you’re under the weather for longer than that, you might not be getting enough rest because sleep helps keep your immune system working, as it should. Stress also takes a toll on your immune system. You might not be able to fight off viruses as well as you normally would. Ongoing stress makes your body less able to respond to cortisol, a hormone that controls your body’s response to threats like the virus that causes the common cold. You only really need to contact your GP if your symptoms persist for more than three weeks, your symptoms get suddenly worse, you have breathing difficulties or you develop other symptoms that are concerning you. It might also be a good idea to see your GP if you’re concerned about your baby or an elderly person, or if you have a long-term illness such as diabetes or COPD. You can also check symptoms at NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot Is it dangerous to dye your hair?
Recently, there have been media reports of women who have experienced serious allergic reactions to hair dye. It’s important to be aware of this risk, and know what to do. Reactions to hair dye are avoidable if you follow some simple safety advice. Some people are prone to a skin reaction called dermatitis. This means their skin becomes inflamed when they come into contact with a particular substance. The substance may either be an irritant, directly damaging the skin, or an allergen, triggering an allergic reaction that affects the skin. Many permanent and some semi-permanent hair dyes contain a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is a known irritant and allergen. This is the culprit of most reactions to hair dye. Hair dyes containing PPD are safe to use, providing safety instructions are followed. These products are strictly regulated and there’s a maximum limit to the amount of PPD the product can contain. If you ignore the safety instructions that come with the dye, you could put yourself at risk of a serious reaction. Always carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, even if you are using your regular brand. Follow the instructions that come with the dye. If you develop any irritation or feel unwell after the patch test, don’t use the product. You should be able to return the product for a full refund. My son got grit in his eye does he need medical treatment?
Minor irritation or injury to the front of the eye usually doesn’t require medical treatment and should clear up within 24 hours. If you experience discomfort, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help. Don’t touch or rub your eye, apply pressure to it or wear contact lenses until it’s fully healed to prevent further damage. See your GP or optician if you have any concerns about your injury . If you have loose particles in your eye or if it has been exposed to chemicals, flush it out with eyewash or plenty of clean water for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contact lenses, remember to remove them before flushing the eye. Many eye injuries are preventable if you take appropriate safety precautions during leisure activities or work – for example, wearing eye protection when hammering metal and using power tools.