Zara Sutton of Tang Hall Lane, York, hit headlines and TV screens nationwide after her plight was reported in the Evening Press on Friday.

A bad reaction to the Clairol Lasting Color dye meant 15-year-old Zara needed to take a course of steroid injections and anti-histamine pills.

The swelling has since gone down, and Zara's face is gradually getting back to normal.

Zara's mother, Sharon, said: "We just thought we would tell local people about what had happened through the Evening Press.

"Suddenly, we had magazines and television shows wanting to talk to us. We never thought it would be such a big story.

"Zara is a bit embarrassed about the whole thing - but she's been lapping up all the attention. GMTV put us in a really posh hotel in London, with Zara in a king-size bed all to herself.

"Procter & Gamble have sent us a £10 voucher to spend on their products. I find that a little bit insulting, but obviously we never did this for the money. I just think other mothers should know that things like this can happen."

Zara said: "I'm feeling a lot better now. The skin around my eyes is very red, dry and raw, but that should get better."

A spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble said the company was waiting to receive written permission to talk directly to Zara's doctor to investigate the cause of the reaction.

She said: "Until the cause of her reaction is medically determined, we cannot make any further assumptions.

"Many millions of women colour their hair many times each year without any adverse reaction. Thankfully, any allergic reaction is very rare."

Meanwhile, a new test patch could put an end to bad reactions like Zara's - and reassure concerned parents.

Kate Armitage, owner of York hair designers Edward Charles, in Walmgate, said: "The patches will show up hypersensitivity to the active ingredients in hair dyes in 48 hours.

"We've only had these Coloursmart patches for a few months. We ask everyone who wants to dye their hair for the first time to use one.

"This could be a good way to reassure concerned parents that their own daughters won't have a terrible reaction like Zara's when they dye their hair."

For more information about Coloursmart patches, phone 0845 6024638.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, January 11, 2005