Barber Salih Saruhan has a hair allergy

by Lewis Dyson

A former bricklayer was mortar-fied after laying up his trowel for a pair of scissors - only to find he is allergic to his new profession.

Sheerness barber Salih Saruhan gets hayfever-like symptoms, including itchy eyes and a bunged up nose when he cuts hair.

The 21-year-old, who owns Brothers and Scissors, in Broadway, Sheerness, says he cannot see himself doing any other job.

He said: "It's something that I enjoy doing because I've been through lots of other jobs and finally found something I like, but I ended up being allergic to it."

The qualified bricklayer has tried several other professions including groundwork, carpentry and window cleaning but found they were just not for him.

Two years ago, he decided to give cutting hair a go and enrolled in a 10-week intensive course in London.

"i've become used to it, it is part of the job and i don't really notice it to be honest..." – barber salih saruhan

The Seagar Road, Sheerness, resident first started noticing the problem when he went in and out of the salon where he trained.

He said: "It was mid-winter so I just assumed it was a cold, but when I left the salon my sinuses cleared up and my eyes gradually started to ease off."

His teachers suggested he see a professional, but doctors were baffled as they had never heard of someone being allergic to human hair before.

Determined to finish the course, Salih emerged with the highest grade the school has ever given out and opened his own traditional Turkish barbers in November last year.

He said: "I've been prescribed different medicines and remedies but none of it really works. I just try to live with it.

"I've become used to it, it is part of the job and I don't really notice it to be honest.

"It is a bit of a nuisance but it doesn't affect the way I cut."

He assured customers his condition is not contagious and his nose does not drip, although he has to blow his nose every now and again.

It is thought the problem arises when Salih breathes in tiny particles of hair which float around the air after it has been cut.

Sometimes he does not suffer, but he said it is normally curly locks that affect him the most.