Henna is a dye of natural origin, which is produced from the leaves of the shrub of Lawson. These leaves have disinfecting qualities, therefore, it is used in medicine, cosmetology. With the help of henna they treat various skin diseases, color hair, nails, eyelashes or eyebrows, and also do body painting. Henna can be of different shades, from orange to dark red, it all depends on the origin of the powder, as well as its quality.
So, the high quality of the product is achieved by assembling the upper leaves of Lavsonia, it is obtained in dark color and is used to paint the body. Bottom leaves are used to make powders and hair colors. It often happens that a person is allergic to henna, although it is considered a hypoallergenic product. Why is this happening, we'll talk today.
Hypersensitivity to henna
High-quality henna is non-allergenic, but currently very difficult to find. Basically, everyone is faced with low-quality products, which have a low cost. Therefore, the question of whether henna causes an allergy is quite appropriate. Causes negative reactions of the body, certain reasons that depend on the method of application of the product. If hair dye is used, the allergy appears immediately, so it is recommended to rinse it off immediately with clean water.
For body painting, henna with synthetic additives is used, which gives it a dark color, for example, aniline, urzol or paraphenylenediamine. The latter is considered to be poison, which provokes the appearance of allergic reactions not immediately, but after ten days. Moreover, if the dye is not removed from the skin, the allergy will manifest itself more and more.
Causes
Often an allergy to henna arises from the use of pesticides in the cultivation of lavsonia, as well as from the polluted ecology in the places where it grows. They also make a poor-quality product by adding components with toxic substances that can not only enhance resistance and effect, but also cause negative reactions.
Often an allergy occurs for the first time when a person has already used henna several times. This is explained by a low-quality product, which may have come across this time. Or a person has weakened immunity after a disease. And also often the master dishonestly performs henna painting, he does not comply in this case with the rules for working with it.
Symptoms
The first signs are manifested in the form of nasal congestion, as well as tearing of the eyes, sore throat. Further, breathing difficulties, suffocation, asthma attacks can be observed. Rashes appear on the skin, accompanied by itching and redness. In some cases, vomiting, upset stomach, and loss of strength occur.
An allergy to henna for eyebrows can cause Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock, which requires immediate hospitalization. If henna contains paraphenylenediamine, the reaction manifests itself in the form of swelling, suppuration in the place where the drawing is applied. It has a permanent character and is acute at night, accompanied by pain. The picture takes on an unaesthetic appearance.
The above symptoms form after a short period of time after interacting with an allergen. In some cases, the reaction may occur after several hours or days. In this case, the result may be a change in skin color, the formation of scars, which may not disappear even after treatment. If henna hair was dyed, in this case a local reaction occurs, accompanied by a rash and redness of the scalp, itching. In the case of repeated staining, the allergy will only intensify, provoking more serious consequences.
In the case of tattoos with henna, the allergen enters the bloodstream, causing the serious complications listed above. The risk group includes people who have neurodermatitis, acne, asthma, dermatosis or allergic reactions to plant pollen, hair and so on. Thus, the symptomatology of the disease depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the method of application of henna.
Diagnostics
If you are allergic to henna, what to do - an allergist will tell you. At the reception, he needs to be given full information about his state of health. A correctly collected history is the key to the success of subsequent treatment. Next, the doctor conducts laboratory tests, during which the level of immunoglobulin E in the blood is determined. It is a special protein that the body produces in large quantities when an irritant enters it, and also eliminates allergen cells, destroying healthy cells, which contributes to the formation of inflammation.
Then carry out allergic tests. To do this, take blood and examine it. Or conduct skin tests, which make it possible to accurately determine the irritant. But this is done if there are no wounds and injuries on the skin.
First aid
If, after visiting a cosmetologist, you are allergic to henna for eyebrows or hair, and swelling and itching have formed, you must do this:
- Affected areas are well washed with water without soap, as it provokes more inflammation of the skin during allergic reactions.
- It is necessary to take an antihistamine, such as "Zodak" or "Suprastin."
- Ice is applied to the affected areas by placing it in a towel or bag.
When symptoms continue to develop after first aid, consult a doctor. Otherwise, the development of dangerous complications in the form of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock is possible. In this case, the doctor makes an injection of adrenaline, uses corticosteroids.
Treatment
If an allergy to henna is acute, you should immediately contact a medical institution. The specialist will diagnose and establish the cause of the allergic reaction, which must be differentiated from irritation from burns, which appeared due to synthetic additives in henna.
In order not to consult a doctor, it is recommended to conduct a preliminary test for skin sensitivity to henna. A little paste is applied to the skin and left for one day. If the reaction did not occur, then this product can be used. When water is added to henna, it turns green, and after forty minutes it acquires a brown hue. If it contains synthetic additives, it will have a blue color or contain lumps of heterogeneous consistency. In any case, henna allergy treatment involves antihistamines, as well as antibiotics and hydrocortisone-based drugs. Gels with antibacterial effect and hormonal ointments are often prescribed.
Alternative medicine
Nowadays, henna allergies can be treated with traditional medicine. In this case, use decoctions of calendula, chamomile or sage. Wash with these broths, rinse the head, wipe the affected areas of the skin, make compresses. The main thing in this case is to know if there is an allergic reaction to pollen, otherwise you can only aggravate the situation.
Prevention
Before using henna, it is recommended to test for negative reactions. The solution is applied to the forearm and left for a day, and then evaluate the result. It is also necessary to study the composition of the paste well in order to identify the presence of synthetic additives in it. All cosmetic procedures should be performed only with a trusted master.