When wet, my daughter's hair has a bad metallic smell on the ends. (She is 8.) The scalp smells clean, but even after washing, the metallic smell on the ends won't go away. My mom thinks it could signify a medical problem of some kind. Has anyone else ever encountered this problem? I may just cut off a few inches and see if it goes away, but if I can get rid of the smell, I'd prefer not to cut it.
2006-10-23 16:24:19 · 13 answers · asked by Michelle M 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
Has she colored her hair. Some hair colors contain metal. The water may have a great deal of iron in it and the ends of hair are more porous such that they will tend to absorb or hold the metals more e.g. iron. What type of shampoos are you using? The wrong pH shampoo for hair can cause it to become more porous so that it takes up smells around it or from the water or absorbs things more. Baby shampoo is terrible as the pH is fairly high in the alkaline range which opens up the cuticle layer more so that hair becomes more damaged and more porous. The high pH prevents the eyes from tearing which are at pH 11 and the hair is about neutral which is about seven. This relates to OH- and H+ ions in the solutions. At about seven they are equal so it is neutral. Most Suave is about a pH range good for your hair but not all is especially not their baby shampoo. Prell use to be fairly alkaline along with a great many others before the pH relevance was discovered by Jerry Redding who then applied it to all his products such that they worked well with the body systems as he was a biochemist who developed Redkin then sold the company.
Trimming the ends will not help if it is a shampoo type water type problem. Check your shampoos pH see if the bottle tells you or go find out possibly online if it is in the pH range safe for your hair and skin. Then after trying the right shampoos awhile you can always try trimming the hair. I am sure you can look up information about the metal content of your water locally and if it is a bit high such that you are concerned you can educate yourself well about water purification systems as to which work best and are best. I am not really into the ones that substitute salt to soften water etc. as I bloat badly with a little excess salt probably from years of being an excessive salt loving consumer. I actually ate french fries yesterday without salt and after a few bites I realized I could taste them instead of the salt for a change such that I began to enjoy them greatly. Was different. Anyways where was I. If none of these things you investigate or try helps be sure to consult your medical physician because it may signify an underlying physiological problem. Keep the hair you trim off to show to the doctor.
2006-10-23 16:42:08 · answer #1 · answered by Faerieeeiren 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that a metallic taste in the mouth can indicate a medical problem, but have never heard of smell in the hair like that. I would talk to her doctor though just to be on the safe side.
2006-10-23 23:27:58 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot find a thing on that topic. Do a few things at home first. Change pillows. Use softened water to wash and rinse. Still a smell? Changed soaps? Does anyone else besides you smell it? This would drive me crazy.
2006-10-23 23:42:59 · answer #3 · answered by Valerie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sound like something that was in her system a while back.....(indicated by only the ends smelling) It could have been a medication or something.....I would mention it to her doctor for sure....Good Luck
2006-10-23 23:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by Diamond in the Rough 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Medication and even using cheap shampoo will cause that. I'm trying to think of the brand I had bought 6 months ago, It had a real bad odor of metallic and even had a scent of rat poisin with it
2006-10-23 23:32:35 · answer #5 · answered by myothernewname 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does she swim in a swimming pool. it could be as simple as the chemicals in the pool mixing with the tap water and shampoo. If she does, go to the pharmacist and ask for the shampoo that takes chlorine chemicals out of your hair, i think its called chlorane. or she could be chewing on the ends and nobody notices.
2006-10-24 01:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
first you should go see your doctor before you take any actions
that way it will save you a lot of worrying
because it could have been something in the past because it is only in the ends.
good luck
2006-10-23 23:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by flores337 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my daughter's hair sometimes smells, but not often. only in the summer heat when she sweats. she is 4 yrs. maybe you should take her to a demetologist or a family doctor. you have given me something to think about.
2006-10-24 04:15:07 · answer #8 · answered by SHUL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree you could take her to the doctor. you could also ask him if it could be your water too. there may be more minerals or metal in your water than others, which could give it that metallic smell. good luck!
2006-10-23 23:27:27 · answer #9 · answered by fan_of_the_dolphins 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, Never heard of it....But i would cut a couple of inches before i would panic about it, If it comes back, Than i would see her Dr about it....Good Luck
2006-10-23 23:27:07 · answer #10 · answered by Happy_Wheatland 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋