Allergic reactions to henna

Henna is a plant used for dyeing because of its natural pigment. It can be found in India, Africa, and some parts of Asia.

Henna powder is obtained by drying the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant.

When it is applied to the skin, hair or eyebrows, it leaves a reddish or orange color, and when it is mixed with some other herbal ingredients, darker tones can be obtained and thus the palette of tones is expanded and maximally adapted to users.

Apart from cosmetic purposes, henna is also used in the traditional art of mehndi.

Mehndi is the art of drawing henna on the skin and is most commonly represented in India.

Allergic reactions to henna occur rarely. If any of the symptoms listed below appear, be sure to immediately wash the product off the head or any other part of the body where henna is present.

Allergy symptoms are:

1. Red seals on the crown i.e., wherever the henna came into contact with the skin

2. A burning sensation on the scalp, behind the ears, and/or the lower part of the neck

3. Quincke's edema - a change in the appearance of the head and face due to the formation of edema on the head and/or face.

This is one of the more dangerous manifestations of allergy; as a result of edema, the eye slits decrease, and the mouth swells. If this type of allergic reaction occurs, contact a doctor immediately.

4. Intense watery eyes

5. Nasal congestion or increased nasal discharge

In order to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to check the expiration date indicated on the package, if the henna is before the expiration date, it is not worth using it.

If you've never used henna before, try doing a home allergy test.

Read the instructions on the package on how to make the henna mixture and follow the instructions, only instead of applying it directly to your hair or eyebrows, take a small amount of the product and spread it on your hand.

When you spread it on your hand for 30-40 minutes, wash the part you spread, if there is no allergic reaction in the form of burning, itching, rash or redness, you are not allergic to the product.

It would be best to consult with someone who has experience working with henna.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from:https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-hand-jewellery-ornament-3444087/*

Reference: 

1. "Alergija na kanu." iFashion, https://ifashion-hr.decorexpro.com/hna/allergiya/
2. ChatGPT,  https://chatgpt.com/?oai-dm=1