Allergic contact dermatitis to pure henna
Polat, M.; Dikilitaş, M.; Oztaş, P.; Alli, N.
Dermatology Online Journal 15(1): 15
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1087-2108 PMID: 19281720 Document Number: 633063
Henna is a naturally occurring brown dye made from the leaves of the tree Lawsonia inermis. The active ingredient of henna is lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone). It is traditionally used in Islamic and Hindu cultures as a hair coloring and as a dye for decorating the nails or making temporary skin tattoos. Actually, henna has a very low allergic potential. In most cases, allergic reactions not caused by henna, but by the chemical coloring additives that are added to henna mixtures. These additives include agents such as daiminotoluenes and diaminobenzenes. In this article, we report a case of allergic contact dermatitis from pure henna that is also used for the relief of rheumatic pain.