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Burns from henna

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
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This natural product is very popular, it is often used to disinfect the surface of wounds, treat skin diseases, and in addition to color eyelashes, hair, eyebrows, nails, tattooing on the skin. But few know that an allergy to this substance is a frequent occurrence, burns from henna can be even quite dangerous to health.

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Causes of the burn from henna

Previously, henna was considered completely harmless, but nowadays it is possible to call it so with a great deal of doubt. There are several reasons for this:

  • use without compliance with safety regulations and dosages of various chemical components (such as herbicides, pesticides, etc.) in the production of products;
  • general deterioration of the ecological situation in the world;
  • weakening of human immunity;
  • Adding ingredients to the recipe that can provoke an allergy.

An important factor is the color of this paint. The natural hue from henna is white, orange or red, and allergic reaction to these colors occurs in very rare cases. But black henna can provoke an acute allergic reaction, because in nature such a shade does not exist. To obtain this color, various chemical components are added to it, the most harmful of which is paraphenylenediamine. Due to the interaction with these substances (especially in the case of eyelash painting), very severe burns can occur.

Symptoms of the burn from henna

When burning with henna, a variety of symptoms can be observed. In particular, this applies to cases with the coloring of eyebrows and eyelashes. The increase in the intensity of the symptoms will depend on the individual's sensitivity to the elements of the paint.

The most common symptoms are:

  • In the case of staining eyebrows, eyelashes, and also hair, dyspnea or a spasmodic cough may appear;
  • There is a local or general redness on the skin, there may be edema of the respiratory system;
  • Almost in any case, reddening of the skin is accompanied by a rash and severe itching, often also there is peeling, burning and swelling of the skin;
  • Conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis may occur;
  • According to many experiments it became also known that in case of prolonged contact with henna chronic diseases (for example, eczema) can become aggravated;
  • In addition, the active use of henna for dyeing hair or applying tattoos leads to an aggravation of problems with the digestive system - irritation of the gastric mucosa begins, the secretion of hydrochloric acid increases, which causes heartburn;
  • Sometimes it develops lichen;
  • Also, symptoms of a burn of henna can be severe pain and chronic rejection of previously habitual elements.

Burning from Henna Tattoo

Tatoo henna is applied without pain, it is temporary, washed off after about 1 month. But it has already been disproved that such patterns do not have a negative effect on the skin. If used henna is a natural product, there really will not be any problems, but usually in such cases only mixtures with various additives are used.

Therefore, physicians often have to deal with the reaction to the so-called paraphenylene diamide, which is added to henna to impart durability to the paint. Many people are allergic to it, resulting in a burn on the skin, which is scratched and covered with small vesicles.

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Burn from henna on the eyebrows

In the case of staining eyebrows with henna, the burn basically has a local location and is manifested as redness and rash on the face. In addition, this reaction is accompanied by severe burning and itching. It should be remembered that in the case of repeated application of henna to color the eyebrows after some time, the allergic reaction may appear again, and have increased symptoms.

Complications and consequences

Quite often after temporary tattoos, henna on the body for a long time remain pigmented spots, and in some cases even scars. The most dangerous complications from a burn of henna are angioedema, as well as anaphylaxis. Thus the edema of respiratory organs develops with the subsequent asphyxia.

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Diagnostics of the burn from henna

Arriving for an examination to an allergist, you need to give him the most reliable and full information about his health, and deployed to answer his questions. When diagnosing it is very important to collect an accurate medical history - this will also help in further treatment.

Then a blood test is performed to determine the level of IgE - this is an immunoglobulin, produced in large numbers by the body after it hits any allergen.

The last diagnostic stage is allergic tests. When severe lesions are observed on the skin, the sample is performed using the blood taken during the previous examination, since reapplication of the allergen can lead to worsening of the patient's condition. And if the skin is not allergic, skin allergic tests are performed, which make it possible to clearly establish the nature of the burn.

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Differential diagnosis

In the process of diagnosis it is important to differentiate the burn of henna from possible irritation on the skin caused by a chemical burn from PFDA and synthetic additives.

Who to contact?

Treatment of the burn from henna

In the case of hair staining, a burn of henna may appear immediately during this procedure. Having noticed this, it is necessary immediately to stop painting, it is necessary to quickly rinse the remnants of paint from the hair with running water. After this, it is advisable to visit the doctor, so that he can prescribe further treatment.

Medications

In case of severe allergic reaction to a henna burn, antihistamines are prescribed, such as Suprastin, Zirtek or Zaditen. It is recommended to take drugs of the 2nd generation, because they have fewer side effects.

Zirtek for adults and children from 6 years of dosage are: initial - 5 mg (0.5 table or 10 drops) 1 rub. / Day, if necessary, it is allowed to increase it to 10 mg (1 table or 20 / RTI & gt; Among the contraindications: hypersensitivity to substances such as hydroxyzine, cetirizine and piperazine derivatives, or other elements of the drug; period of pregnancy and lactation; renal failure in the terminal stage. Side effects: the digestive system - dryness in the mouth and sometimes dyspepsia; organs of the central nervous system - a mild, transitory sensation of drowsiness, fatigue, and pain may appear, in addition, excitement sometimes occurs; allergy - sometimes Quincke's edema, a rash on the skin.

In addition, a variety of hydrocortisone-based ointments are also prescribed.

To more effectively remove toxins from the body, you must comply with the drinking regime, as well as use enterosorbents - such as Polysorb, Enterosgel or Polypefan, etc.

Enterosgel taken inside. Duration of treatment for each individual, an average of 7-14 days. If intoxication is strongly pronounced, in the first 3 days of treatment you can increase the dosage by 2 times. The medication is taken in the intervals between meals (2 hours after it or 1.5-2 hours before), it should be washed down with water. Dosage per day for adults is 45 g, it is divided into 3 receptions (at a time 15 g / 1 tbsp). Among the side effects: constipation at the initial stage of treatment (especially if the patient has a tendency to constipation). If constipation has started, you need to do a cleansing enema (in the first 2 days of using the drug). Among the contraindications: can not be used in case of intestinal obstruction in acute form.

Also, doctors sometimes prescribe ancillary therapy with immunomodulators to strengthen the patient's immunity.

Vitamins

In the course of treatment, vitamin therapy with a large amount of vitamin C is additionally prescribed.

Alternative treatment

There are several alternative methods of getting rid of allergic symptoms.

Pharmacy chamomile infusion : this product effectively removes the paint when a negative reaction occurs during staining. It is necessary to use fresh or dried flowers, from which a broth or tincture is prepared. It is necessary to pour boiling water (1 cup) ingredients (1 tablespoon), insist for 30 minutes, then squeeze, bring the volume of tincture to 200-250 g with boiled water, and then wash the affected skin.

With the help of boric acid, you can remove redness and severe itching when rashes occur: you need to make a 5% solution of this acid. Dampen them with cheesecloth, cotton wool or bandage, then apply such a compress to the burn place and hold for 10 minutes.

Kefir : compresses, as well as rinsing with kefir or curdled milk help to remove the residual allergic manifestations from the skin. In addition, it allows you to additionally moisturize and nourish the hair.

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Prevention

To avoid a burn and a negative reaction to henna, you should follow these rules and recommendations:

  • Dye your hair and eyebrows better with the help of an experienced specialist in the beauty salon - so you will avoid both burns and other possible problems;
  • It should be remembered that the skin in places where the tattoo will be applied, as well as on the face and head (in case of eyebrows, eyelashes and hair coloring) should not have wounds or scratches and acne. Before the procedure, you need to make a test for the reaction of the skin - apply a little paint on the inner surface of the wrist and wait 10-20 minutes. If you do not feel the itch and the skin does not turn red, then this paint can be used;
  • Working with henna, it is necessary to protect your hands as much as possible - putting on rubber gloves. If this is not done, you should expect an allergic reaction or a chemical burn;
  • Henna needs to be bought only in pharmacies or specialty stores, but this too is not always a guarantee of safety. It is also recommended to apply the tattoo with the usual pigment, without experimenting with mixing different colors.

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Forecast

Burns from henna with timely access to a doctor and the rapid onset of therapy are treated fairly quickly and without complications. In the absence of adequate treatment, the prognosis will not be too favorable, and in some cases, the burn can lead to very serious consequences.

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