Is Hair Colouring Risky While Treating Chicken Pox?

Posted on Sat, 30 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 30 Jan 2016 Answered on

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, thanks for taking my question. I'm an adult with the chickenpox. It started with flu-like symptoms on 1/18. The first spots appeared on 1/20. The worst of the rash was on 1/22-1/24. I found only one new spot yesterday and one new one the day before, so I think the rash is almost done.
I have lots of spots (in various stages of healing) on my scalp and neck.
My question is, can I color my hair? I have lots of gray hair and usually get it colored every three weeks. I assume I shouldn't go to the hair salon until I'm sure I'm no longer contagious. But could I color it myself at home? I realize this isn't an emergency, but the gray roots growing in are stressing me out, and I'd love to be able to cover them up.
Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No problem except possibility of reactions on exposure to raw skin surface

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health Care Magic.

I am sorry to know about your condition. As such there is no problem if you color your hair while you have an ongoing episode of chicken pox. But there is a possibility of the chemical reacting while it gets exposed to the raw lesions on your scalp.

So, if possible, it would be a better idea to refrain from application of hair color till the crusting and healing of the rashes is complete.

In consideration of the contagion, after all the lesions have crusted and fallen off, you are no longer contagious and you would have to bear till then.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee