I Chose the Wrong Hair!!!

[Blessed626]

Hello everyone! Just wanna say this is my first post ever! After lurking for quite some time I've finally joined the board and I'm super excited! I think you ladies are wonderful!

Unfortunately, my first post topic isn't something positive. So here's my problem:

I don't usually wear braids. Rarely do I have the urge to get them, and when I do I'm kinda particular. So, recently I decided I wanted to get braids because they seem to be a great protective style, I'm considering transitioning, and I know these next few weeks are gonna be hectic and the less time I have to spend on my hair the better.

Anywho, luckily for me my best friend/roommate knows how to braid. She's not a pro but she's good at what she does. She did her own Senegalese twists a few weeks ago and I really liked them, so she agreed to do mine. She spent this entire last week doing my hair (in between going to classes and work). I mean she dedicated ALL her time to it and we're still not completely done (I have a big head and really thick hair).

She braids really tight, and that wasn't too big of a problem because I'm not tender-headed. However, after a couple of days I realized I had bumps around my edges and that my entire head was itching like crazy erplexed. I've been spraying my head with TONS of braid spray and oil to no avail.

I then decided that maybe the hair just doesn't agree with me. When I told her this, she was like "That may be the problem because when I did my hair I had the same problem...I even had bumps on my back."

So, I'm thinking "I do not think I can take this itching much longer!" I have been trying to relieve it and I value our friendship enough to try to stick it out for a few weeks to show her I appreciate her efforts (she didn't charge me, and they're really pretty).

Do you guys have any tips to help me stop the itching? Or do you think it may be best to take the braids out? Will the irritation cause any long-term problems? Anybody have any ideas?

 

[PPGbubbles]

Wash the hair to see if that helps
1) washing will cause the braids to loosen a little which can relieve tension
2) if there was some chemical on the hair washing can possibly eliminate it

but if you dont see inprovement with washing remove the hair! a free set of braids are not worth your growth and progress. And if she is a true friend she will understand.

 

[Blessed626]

Bumping for responses

 

[cocomadmoiselle]

Try taking benadryl or an over the counter antihistamine, it might help with the itching if its an allergic reaction. And wet a wash cloth with ice cold water and press it to your scalp rather than scratching. I used to have this problem when I wore braids. I think its the coating they use to make the hair appear shiny. HTH

 

[Miss AJ]

I would not let her touch my head again simply because if she had the same problem with that hair, why didn't she mention that to you BEFORE putting it in your hair?? And you may not be tender headed but tight braids can still cause damage. When my neighbor's little sister did my cornrows for me it didn't hurt but I had raised bumps on my scalp. After that, I never let anyone BUT her older sister braid my hair.

 

[TowsonGirl]

....................

 

[Platinum]

I agree with the other ladies. Washing your braids may help remove the alkaline coating that's on the hair.

 

[purplepeace79]

Do a vinegar rinse. Not ACV, regular white vinegar. You need to get that alkaline off that hair, which is probably what is irritating you.
I second the Benedryl too.

 

[Blessed626]

Try taking benadryl or an over the counter antihistamine, it might help with the itching if its an allergic reaction. And wet a wash cloth with ice cold water and press it to your scalp rather than scratching. I used to have this problem when I wore braids. I think its the coating they use to make the hair appear shiny. HTH

Thank you for this advice! I just took some Claritin so hopefully that will kick in soon. We'll see!

 

[Blessed626]

Do a vinegar rinse. Not ACV, regular white vinegar. You need to get that alkaline off that hair, which is probably what is irritating you.
I second the Benedryl too.

How exactly would I go about doing the vinegar rinse? And will the smell linger?

 

[brownelovely]

Definitely try washing it first.

 

[meecee]

My mom braided hair for years. She noticed that the initial itching that would occur when the braids were "fresh" could be prevented by washing your hair as soon as the braids are completed. It works.

 

[diamonddollfla]

I usually remove the alkaline base with ACV prior to braiding. If I don't remove the base it would itch so much my scalp would feel like it is on fire. So I would definitely try to rinse it out now since you are already braided.

 

[ToyToy]

Wash the hair to see if that helps
1) washing will cause the braids to loosen a little which can relieve tension
2) if there was some chemical on the hair washing can possibly eliminate it

but if you dont see inprovement with washing remove the hair! a free set of braids are not worth your growth and progress. And if she is a true friend she will understand.

I agree with this.
If you used Kanekalon, next time you may want to remove the alkaline base by soaking the hair in warm water and apple cider vinegar. That usually prevents the itching.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

How exactly would I go about doing the vinegar rinse? And will the smell linger?

It's really simple. You just take vinegar, mix it up with some water, and pour it slowly over your head, letting it saturate and run down the braids. Or you could fill a large basin with the vinegar solution, lay your head back, and soak your braids in it. I'm not sure what ratio of vinegar to water you would use to remove the base though. Maybe one of the other ladies can chime in with that info, or try PMing Aggie. She's really knowledgeable about braid care and could probably help you.

The smell shouldn't linger if you squeeze out the solution. I used white vinegar in my hair, and the smell was gone once my hair dried. But if you're still concerned, then after the rinse, rinse your hair again with cool water, and that should take care of the smell.

And I agree with MissAJ. In the future, be wary of who you let in your hair...even if they are your friends. I can't believe she didn't warn you about the bumps before she started.

HTH, and good luck!!

 

[Blessed626]

It's really simple. You just take vinegar, mix it up with some water, and pour it slowly over your head, letting it saturate and run down the braids. Or you could fill a large basin with the vinegar solution, lay your head back, and soak your braids in it. I'm not sure what ratio of vinegar to water you would use to remove the base though. Maybe one of the other ladies can chime in with that info, or try PMing Aggie. She's really knowledgeable about braid care and could probably help you.

The smell shouldn't linger if you squeeze out the solution. I used white vinegar in my hair, and the smell was gone once my hair dried. But if you're still concerned, then after the rinse, rinse your hair again with cool water, and that should take care of the smell.

And I agree with MissAJ. In the future, be wary of who you let in your hair...even if they are your friends. I can't believe she didn't warn you about the bumps before she started.

HTH, and good luck!!

Thank you very much! I think I'm going to try this after I wash it to remove all that oil and braid spray that I've been using. Is that ok to do?

And I usually am VERY particular about who touches my hair, but I was trying to be more open-minded. I'm learning my lesson...trust me!

 

[Blessed626]

I just wanted to give a quick update. I washed my hair last nite with Creme of Nature shampoo (slightly diluted). I then did a white vinegar rinse, sprayed my hair with African Pride braid spray, tied my hair down nice and tight, took a Benadryl and went to sleep. This morning I sprayed "Nature's Shine" oil on my scalp.

I have noticed a difference. Although I still have a little bit of itching going on, it feels 75% better! I'm sure after a few days I will have complete relief. Thanks ladies for the awesome advice!

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

I'm glad you're feeling better!

 

[PPGbubbles]

Your welcome! glad you resolved your issue

 

[shunemite]

I'm glad they don't itch anymore. Sometimes it's not the brand but where you bought the braids from too. Some BSS will ship everything from food to soap to braids in one box to save money, or they came in a dirty truck, hot and dusty. I know coz one of my former school mates runs a BSS and she had a shipment get held back coz of legalities. She had soap, hair, and cornmeal all in the same shipment and it baked in that trailer for like 4 months in the summer at the warehouse. She was my friend, yes, but I only bought from her once. It was a brand of hair I used all the time and what I bought from her was itching and the color was bleeding all over the pillows.

 

[shunemite]

bumps around my edges

This sounds like a separate issue. Your edges may have been pulled too tight. Are you seeing white bulbs at the root? If so that's your hair coming out.

 

[Blessed626]

This sounds like a separate issue. Your edges may have been pulled too tight. Are you seeing white bulbs at the root? If so that's your hair coming out.

Yea, I do think my edges were pulled too tight and I have seen a few bulbs. I figured that's what it was, but the braids are much looser now. I know I can't make up for the couple of hairs that have been lost, but I sure hope no others come out.

However, I have had tight braids before (yea I know ) around my edges and those bumps weren't as irritating as the ones I have now. I could tell there was some extra irritation going on with these, so it wasn't just the tightness.

I'm gonna keep my hair well oiled and I'm back on my hair vitamins (which usually work well for me) so I'm not going to stress those few hairs.

 

[lexiwiththecurls]

i know your hair stopped itching...but there is this good spray for your scalp its called Jamaican Mango and (something) itch spray works great. I use it when I wear weaves. This other stylist told me to use Seabreeze on my scalp--not sure if that is healthy though- but it stops the itching.

 

[msMicaela]

OP, whether it is too tight braids or the hair causing you irritation, either way it might be a good idea to play it on the safe side and take them out.

A little uncomfortability is normal, but if the iching/irritation doesnt go away after a day then they are too tight or the hair is not for you. Especially around the hairline area.

I had braids that were done too tight and they were fly so i didnt want to take them, plus i kept saying this is normal this is normal- but after a week i couldn take it anymore and i ended up having a bald patch the size of a golf ball in the middle of my head.

Your scalp is trying to tell you something- maybe you should listen.

 

[Blessed626]

OP, whether it is too tight braids or the hair causing you irritation, either way it might be a good idea to play it on the safe side and take them out.

A little uncomfortability is normal, but if the iching/irritation doesnt go away after a day then they are too tight or the hair is not for you. Especially around the hairline area.

I had braids that were done too tight and they were fly so i didnt want to take them, plus i kept saying this is normal this is normal- but after a week i couldn take it anymore and i ended up having a bald patch the size of a golf ball in the middle of my head.

Your scalp is trying to tell you something- maybe you should listen.

Thanks for that advice. I thought that the itching and irritation had subsided, but since yesterday it hasn't gotten much better and my edges are starting to dry out despite the braid spray and oil. I do think I'm going to take them out today.

Hopefully, my friend won't be too bitter (which I could understand because she sacrificed a lot of her time for me), but ultimately it's my hair and I must do what's best for me.

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

I recently got braids as well and had the same itching problem and they were tight as well.

I washed them and that loosened them up and that seemed to take care of most of the itching.

I'm sorry that didn't work for you blessed.

I was thinking that while the braider was doing my hair, the braids really didn't feel that tight, it was only really the next day that I noticed how tight they were.

 

[msMicaela]

Thanks for that advice. I thought that the itching and irritation had subsided, but since yesterday it hasn't gotten much better and my edges are starting to dry out despite the braid spray and oil. I do think I'm going to take them out today.

Hopefully, my friend won't be too bitter (which I could understand because she sacrificed a lot of her time for me), but ultimately it's my hair and I must do what's best for me.

If the scalp hasnt relaxed yet then i think ur making a good decision.

Im sure your friend will understand. Especially if she knows how important the health of your hair is to you.

If her being upset is worrying you(as it might me) maybe you can treat her to lunch or something. - just throwing it out there.

HHG

 

[Blessed626]

If the scalp hasnt relaxed yet then i think ur making a good decision.

Im sure your friend will understand. Especially if she knows how important the health of your hair is to you.

If her being upset is worrying you(as it might me) maybe you can treat her to lunch or something. - just throwing it out there.

HHG

Yea, I do plan on not only paying her for her effort but also doing something really nice to make up for it. Lunch sounds like a good suggestion...thanks!