Henna is a natural product for changing hair color. You should know whether this remedy can cause the appearance of allergy symptoms, and what treatment is carried out if adverse signs nevertheless appeared.
Allergic manifestations
You can change the color of your hair with a product that has a natural composition: henna. This product has been used for many years by beauties in many countries of the world who want to color their curls. In many ways, the popularity of henna is that it is quite easy to buy, as well as the fact that it has a natural composition. Some women believe that when using such a remedy, allergic symptoms cannot appear.
However, doctors do not agree with this opinion. Henna, although it refers to products of natural origin, in some cases, however, can cause allergic rashes. So, if a woman has an individual hypersensitivity to this remedy, then she may develop an allergy. In this case, the henna particles act as allergens - that is, substances that trigger a real cascade of allergic reactions. This, in turn, leads to the occurrence of allergic manifestations.
Allergy to henna on clinical grounds is different. So, after using this remedy, itchy rashes may appear on the scalp. Usually they have an uneven shape and red color.
Such rashes, as a rule, appear in those areas where henna was applied. And also their localization may be the back surface of the ears and neck. An allergy to henna can be suspected by the appearance of a rash, which is called allergic urticaria.In this case, rashes also appear on the contact areas of the scalp with paint.
In this case, allergic urticaria is usually accompanied by severe, and sometimes even unbearable itching.
The severity of allergies after using henna can be different. The most minimal manifestation in intensity is the appearance of only a slight burning sensation. Some women perceive this symptom quite normally, without paying due attention to it. However, in some cases, moderate burning sensation may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction.
The most dangerous consequences of allergies include, of course, Quincke's edema. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of edema on the face. In this case, lips and the area under the eyes can swell. Quincke's edema is easy to suspect: a woman's appearance changes. In this case, the eye cracks become narrower, and the lips slightly increase due to severe swelling of the facial tissues.
And also manifestations of henna allergy may include:
- severe lacrimation;
- the appearance of watery discharge from the nasal passages;
- nasal congestion;
- respiratory failure (due to compression of the larynx by swollen face tissues);
- severe peeling of the scalp, accompanied by the appearance of severe itching.
Henna is used not only for dyeing hair, but also for applying various patterns on the body. At the same time, the risk of allergies also exists. In the case of an allergic reaction after using this coloring product, severe redness or allergic rashes appear on the skin in the places of its application. Such manifestations are usually accompanied by severe itching. In this case, the affected area of the skin is usually swollen.
How to check henna?
When using any dyeing compositions for hair, including natural origin, doctors recommend that you observe safety precautions. To date, there is not a single hair dye that would be completely allergen-free. Henna in some women can trigger allergic manifestations.
Before staining curls with this tool, it is imperative to conduct an individual sensitivity test. Making it pretty simple. To do this, a small amount of diluted coloring natural product should be applied to the forearm (on the inside). After 30-40 minutes, the product should be thoroughly washed off and skin condition assessed. They should remain clean without any rashes or itching. The skin condition should also be assessed in a day. If no adverse effects of such use of henna have ensued, then it can also be used for hair coloring.
To protect themselves from the appearance of negative consequences after using such natural hair dye, experts recommend that you always know the expiration date before buying it. Each manufacturer indicates it on the package. If the expiration date of the product is already approaching the end, then it should not be used.
Women with asthma should consult their healthcare provider before using henna. In some cases, the use of such a remedy for this disease is unacceptable.
And also for additional consultation with a specialist, it is recommended to contact women suffering from allergic pathologies.
Therapy
An allergic reaction to henna should be treated immediately. In some cases, you can not delay using antiallergic drugs. For example, late medication with the resulting Quincke edema can cause the development of extremely dangerous negative health effects.
If any adverse symptoms appear during the application of henna, then this product should be washed off the scalp immediately. Note that the skin should be washed thoroughly.The purpose of such washing is to remove as much as possible all the remains of the herbal remedy from the hair. It is important to remember that even small particles of henna remaining on the curls can subsequently become the reason that getting rid of the allergy symptoms that appear will be more difficult.
Folk remedies
One of the most common allergy symptoms after using henna is severe itching. Supporters of traditional medicine recommend, in order to get rid of this adverse symptom, to use decoctions of various plants. You can use an ordinary pharmacy chamomile.
To prepare a healing infusion, you will need only 3 tablespoons of chopped chamomile flowers and ½ liter of boiling water. Insist the remedy for half an hour.
Rinsing hair with a decoction of chamomile helps significantly reduce skin itching, as well as cleanse the skin from allergic rashes.
Drug treatment
To eliminate allergies, antiallergic drugs are usually used. There are currently many of them. They help to effectively eliminate skin itching, as well as cleanse the skin from allergic rashes. And also these drugs help normalize breathing, as they contribute to the elimination of swelling of the tissues of the face and neck. In case of allergy symptoms, you can take "Zyrtec", "Loratadin", "Claritin", "Suprastin", "Telfast" and other anti-allergic drugs. These drugs are used necessarily taking into account the instructions for use.
If after taking an antihistamine, there was no improvement in well-being, then in this case it is better to consult a doctor. In such a situation, the doctor may prescribe a comprehensive treatment, which, in addition to antihistamines, also includes other drugs: for example, enterosorbents. If the allergy manifested itself quite strongly, then in this case not only the appointment of tablets and capsules is required, but also the intravenous use of drugs. But this is determined only by the attending physician.
Recommendations of specialists
When using any hair dye product, care must be taken. A high-quality product, as a rule, is safe for health and extremely rarely causes any adverse effects after its use. Before using henna, an individual sensitivity test must be performed. It should be noted that such a preliminary examination should be performed not only before dyeing the hair on the head. An individual sensitivity test should also be performed before staining eyebrows or eyelashes. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate the condition of the mucous membranes of the eyes. After the test, lacrimation or redness of the eyes should not appear.
Some manufacturers point to their products as “hypoallergenic.” Such markings may be misleading. Some women, when they see such a mark on the package with the dyeing product, fully trust its quality and do not conduct a preliminary test to determine individual sensitivity. And this, according to doctors, is a mistake. Even if the product has marks on its hypoallergenicity, then a preliminary test to determine individual sensitivity is still necessary.
About whether there can be an allergy to henna, see further
