Here’s how seasonal allergies could be affecting your hair

Summer is approaching which many of us look forward to, but for hay fever and allergy sufferers, it can be a nightmare.

Britain has some of the highest allergy rates in the world, with 1 in 3 of us suffering from an allergy or hay fever.

High pollen count and mass grass cutting often cause textbook symptoms, but they can also have a surprising effect on your hair and scalp too.

Here, I share how allergies can impact your hair and my top tips for taking care of it during allergy season.

How does pollen affect your hair?

Pollen and other allergens are typically carried in the wind and eventually land on your skin and in your eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.

Their presence triggers the body’s natural response to fight these allergens by releasing histamines to fight them. However, this response produces the classic side effects associated with allergies, like watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

The effects of pollen can vary, but they often range from light itchiness and redness of the scalp to eczema, dermatitis, and even hair loss.

Known as atopic eczema, the skin on your scalp can overreact to the presence of pollen, which can irritate the skin and cause it to become itchy.

By scratching your head to relieve the itch, the skin can become inflamed and red, and eventually, turn dry, cracked, and flaky.

Dermatitis is caused by similar irritation and has much of the same symptoms as eczema, including itchiness and dry and cracked skin.

Left untreated, these conditions can cause inflammation in the hair follicles, which will then be weakened and eventually begin to break or fall out.

How to protect your hair from irritants

One of the easiest ways to prevent pollen from irritating your scalp and hair is to wear a hat when spending prolonged periods outdoors.

Not only will this prevent pollen from gathering in your roots and causing itchiness and irritation, but your scalp will also be thankful for protection from harsh UV rays.

It is best to use lightweight haircare products in the summer, as heavy ones leave a tacky finish on the hair which will allow pollen to stick very easily.

Heavy mousses, creams, and gels should be swapped out for hydrating hair serums and sprays which are more easily absorbed.

If you have spent plenty of time outside, you can dislodge some of the trapped pollen from your locks by giving your hair a quick brush.

You may be tempted to remove any pollen from your hair by washing it each day, but this will strip the hair and scalp of its natural oils and dry out your hair even more.

If your scalp is feeling particularly irritated, it is best to rinse your hair with lukewarm water to remove any pollen and build-up but avoid using any shampoo.

This will gently cleanse the scalp without stripping the hair, and it will soothe any itchiness.

When you do wash your hair, aim to do so no more than three times per week and use a clarifying shampoo once a week to thoroughly cleanse your scalp.

You can follow up with a moisturising conditioner on the ends to rehydrate the hair and finish with a lightweight serum and heat protectant before heat styling.