West Virginia Cosmetology Board Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

A common allergic reaction to hair color is contact dermatitis. This condition occurs when the skin reacts to a substance, causing inflammation characterized by redness, swelling, and itching. In the context of hair color, the chemicals in the dye, particularly para-phenylenediamine (PPD), can trigger this reaction when they come into contact with the skin.

While itching and redness can be symptomatic of contact dermatitis, they are not specific to allergic reactions, as they may occur due to other irritants or conditions. Dry scalp and hair loss are not typical manifestations of an allergic reaction to hair dye. Dry scalp can arise from various environmental factors or overuse of styling products, and hair loss is usually associated with different underlying issues such as hormonal changes or medical conditions rather than a direct allergic response to hair color. Thus, contact dermatitis accurately describes the nature of the allergic reaction associated with hair color usage.