Henna is a natural product for changing hair color. You should know if this remedy can cause the onset of allergy symptoms, and what kind of treatment is carried out if adverse symptoms appear.
Allergic manifestations
Change hair color can be a means of having a natural composition: henna. This product has been used for many years by beauties in many countries of the world who want to dye 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 belongs to products of natural origin, still in some cases can cause the appearance of allergic rashes. So, if a woman has an individual hypersensitivity of the body to this remedy, then she can develop an allergy. In this case, henna particles act as allergens - that is, substances that trigger a real cascade of allergic reactions. This, in turn, leads to the appearance of allergic manifestations.
Clinical allergy to henna is variable. So, after using this tool, itchy rashes may appear on the scalp. Usually they have an uneven shape and red color.
Such rashes, as a rule, appear on those areas where henna was applied. Also, their localization may be the back of the ears and neck. You can also suspect henna allergy by the appearance of a rash, which is called an allergic urticaria. In this case, the rash also appears on the contact areas of the scalp with paint.
In this case, allergic urticaria is usually accompanied by a strong, and sometimes even unbearable itching.
The severity of allergies after using henna may be different. The most minimal manifestation is the appearance of only a small burning sensation. Some women perceive this symptom quite normally, without paying proper attention to it. However, in some cases, mild burning may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction.
The most dangerous consequences of allergy is, of course, angioedema. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of swelling on the face. At the same time, the lips and the area under the eyes can swell. Quincke's edema is easy to suspect: a woman's appearance changes. At the same time, the eye crevices become narrower, and the lips are slightly enlarged due to a strong swelling of facial tissues.
As well as manifestations of henna allergy may include:
- severe tearing;
- the appearance of watery discharge from the nasal passages;
- nasal congestion;
- respiratory failure (due to compression of the larynx with swollen facial tissues);
- severe peeling of the scalp, accompanied by the appearance of severe itching.
Henna is used not only for coloring hair, but also for applying various patterns on the body. However, the risk of allergies also exists. In the case of an allergic reaction after using this coloring product on the skin in the places of its application there is a strong redness or allergic rash. Such manifestations, as a rule, are accompanied by severe itching. At the same time, the affected skin area usually swells severely.
How to check henna?
When using any coloring compositions for hair, including those of natural origin, doctors recommend that precautions be taken. To date, there is no hair dye, which would be completely free of allergens. Henna in some women can provoke allergic manifestations.
Before you do the staining of curls with this tool, you should definitely test for individual sensitivity. Make it pretty simple. To do this, a small amount of diluted natural coloring product should be applied to the area of the forearm (on the inside). After 30–40 minutes, the product should be thoroughly washed off and the condition of the skin should be assessed. They should remain clean, without any rash or itching. The skin condition should also be assessed in a day. If no adverse effects of such use of henna followed, then it can be used for dyeing hair.
To protect themselves from the appearance of negative effects after using such a natural hair dye, experts recommend before buying it you must know the expiration date. Each manufacturer points it on the packaging. If the shelf life of the product is nearing its end, then it should not be used.
Women with asthma should always consult with their doctor before using henna. In some cases, the use of such agents in this disease is unacceptable.
As well as for additional consultation with a specialist, it is recommended to contact women suffering from allergic diseases.
Therapy
Treatment of an allergic reaction to henna should be carried out promptly. In some cases, delay with the use of antiallergic drugs can not. For example, the late use of drugs in case of occurrence of angioedema can cause the development of extremely dangerous negative health effects.
If during the application of henna any adverse symptoms appear, then this product should be immediately washed off the scalp. Note that the skin should be washed thoroughly. The purpose of this washing is to remove as much as possible all the residues of the herbal remedies from the hair. It is important to remember that even the small pieces of henna remaining on the curls may further be the reason that it will be more difficult to get rid of the allergy symptoms that have appeared.
Folk remedies
One of the most frequent symptoms of an allergy after using henna is the appearance of severe itching. Supporters of traditional medicine recommend to get rid of this adverse symptom, apply decoctions of various plants. You can use an ordinary pharmacy chamomile.
For the preparation of healing infusion will require only 3 tablespoons of crushed chamomile flowers and ½ liter of boiling water. Insist means should be within half an hour.
Rinsing the hair with a decoction of chamomile helps to significantly reduce itchy skin, as well as to clear the skin of allergic rashes.
Drug treatment
To eliminate allergies are used, as a rule, antiallergic drugs. There are a lot of them now. They help to effectively eliminate skin itching, as well as to clear the skin from allergic rashes. As well as these drugs help to 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 antiallergic 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 go to a doctor anyway. In such a situation, the doctor may prescribe a complex treatment, which, in addition to antihistamines, includes other drugs: for example, enterosorbents. If the allergy manifested itself quite strongly, then in this case not only the prescription of tablets and capsules is required, but also the intravenous use of drugs. But this determines only the attending physician.
Recommendations of specialists
Care must be taken when using any dye product for hair. A quality product is generally safe for health and rarely causes any adverse effects after its use. Before using henna, it is imperative to carry out an individual sensitivity test. It should be noted that such a preliminary examination should be performed not only before dyeing hair on the head. Individual sensitivity tests should also be performed before dyeing eyebrows or eyelashes. In this case, it is necessary to assess the condition of the mucous membranes of the eyes. After the test, there should be no tearing or redness of the eyes.
Some manufacturers point to their products mark "hypoallergenic". Such marking may be misleading. Some women, when they see such a mark on the package with a coloring product, completely 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, it is still necessary to carry out a preliminary test to determine individual sensitivity.
See whether henna is allergic, see below.
