Itchy scratchy help quick please

[Florence Fennel]

My MIL who is in her 80s has an itchy rash on the back of her neck that she thinks is as a result of a reaction to the stuff she has used to colour her hair She has heart disease and many more medical problems, so the pharmacy we have consulted says she can't have anti-allergy drugs or cream. Anyone got any ideas what she can use? I've googled, but can only seem to come up with cucumber slices to cool it down.

[Jeanied]

How about aloe vera - from the leaf - a cooling gel.

[FionaH]

Calomine lotion?

[Glutton4...]

Cold flannel? That may take the heat out and stop it itching. Aloe Vera is widely recommended, but I haven't ever used it, so can't comment. Also Tea Tree oil is widely recommended, but that stings my scalp something evil!

Hope you find something to relieve it for her.

[Florence Fennel]

Guillotine?

Thank you, I'll go and ring her.

[FionaH]

Try ringing NHS direct/hotline see if they can suggest something. And check with them before you use anything at all!

[Florence Fennel]

Phoned her. Turns out it wasn't a colouring product, it was something to make her hair thicker She hasn't got any aloe vera, calomine, or tea tree, but she has got cucumber! Talking it through we decided she might be best trying to cool it down with a cold compress or frozen peas! Many thanks for your suggestions. She was panicking because she has her first cataract operation on Tuesday and she doesn't want to give them a reason to cancel it. Bless. Will see what it's like in the morning and take her to a doctor if necessary.

[Pies]

If it was the hair lotion why only the back of her neck and not her whole scalp ?

[Florence Fennel]

I asked her that Pies, she reckons it's because you have to comb the stuff through and the excess finished up on the back of her neck. To be honest I'm hoping it's not something like shingles, but I haven't seen it yet. FIL says she's had it since yesterday and it doesn't look to be any worse, so fingers crossed it is some form of allergy or irritant.

[snohare]

And here was me all eager and ready to help with some Simpson trivia...oh well, glad you are getting it sorted !

[Aberdeenplotter]

Try ringing NHS direct/hotline see if they can suggest something. And check with them before you use anything at all!

Pretty good advice and if she has an op scheduled, really important that she is fit to undergo the operation and not hide something that could undermine her safety.

[VirginVegGrower]

Could be a chemical burn - would recommend Sudocrem to calm and a doctors appointment immediately. Germolene is another option.

[Potstubsdustbins]

SWMBO has just had her second cataract operation a few weeks ago. In and out in 15 minutes with just a eye drop type local so it should not make any difference to that procedure and it will make a fantastic change to her eyesight.

I would go with the cold compress unless you get professional advise or it gets worse.

Colin

[lizzylemon]

Kamillosan is must in my house. Originally used it nursing my little one and then one day used it on a patch of Ezcema and it disappeared overnight. I've since contacted the company and they confirmed masses of people use it for skin complaints but they don't market it for that purpose because it's very difficult to get study results with natural products. This link is the cheapest I could find:

Kamillosan Ointment 50g: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

[Glutton4...]

Thanks for that Lizzy - I may try that on my Eczema.