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Allergies to Henna

There are some people who are allergic to henna, but this is very rare!  The reaction to pure henna is a Type I allergic reaction,  entirely different from and unrelated to the frequent Type IV sensitization to PPD in synthetic hair dyes.  It is very unusual for a person who is allergic to PPD in synthetic hair dyes to also be allergic to henna.

There have been only a few reports of Type I, IgE-mediated allergic reactions to pure henna. This allergic reaction includes a tight feeling in the chest, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and a dry cough. The onset is soon after the person is exposed to henna powder or paste.   If you think you might be allergic to henna, dab henna on your forearm and wait one hour.  If you do not have the symptoms above within that hour, you are not allergic to henna. 

Type IV allergic reactions to PPD occur up to 10 days after exposure, so a patch test is NOT useful in determining  synthetic hair dye allergy.  Even if you have not had a reaction to hair dye before, the probability of sensitization increases with use.  Synthetic hair dye allergic reactions include blistering, edema, rashes, itching, hair loss, and rare complications including death.  See: Allergies to Synthetic Hair Dyes: Para-Phenylenediamine  for medical papers detailing allergic and fatal reactions to PPD in commercial hair dye.
To learn more about Type I and Type IV allergic reacations see: http://www.unicapinvitrosight.com/templates/Page.asp?id=1891

If you get body art quality henna from one of the suppliers on this site, you can be certain that your henna does NOT have PPD or metallic salts in it!  The countries who produce pre-mixed henna for hair dye often have lax regulations regarding cosmetic ingredient labeling, so do not have to list  their ingredients.  If a US company imports pre-mixed henna hair dye from another country, they can repackage and resell it with that inaccurate and misleading labeling.  If you have a reaction to a pre-mixed henna for hair, you may be allergic to an unlisted ingredient, such as metallic salts, another plant powder, or PPD. Buy only body art quality henna if you want to be certain you're getting top quality pure henna without synthetic dyes or unlisted ingredients!



References:
Bohlar, Mulder, and van Ginkel,
IGE mediated allergy to Henna
Allergy, Vol 56, Issue: 3, March 1, 2001, pp. 248

Marjoie, and  Bruynzeel
Occupational immediate-type hypersensitivity to henna in a hairdresser
American Journal of Contact Dermatitis 1996;7: 38040

Pepys, Hutchcroft, Breslin
Asthma do to inhaled chemical agents - persulphate salts and henna and hairdressers
Clinical Allergy, 1976; 6: 399-404

Starr, Yuringer, and Brasher
Immediate type I asthamatic response to henna following occupational exposure in hairdresser
Annals of Allergy 1982; 48: 98-99
   
 Henna for Hair
Henna For Hair is devoted to the art and science
of dying hair with natural dyes. 
Natural hair dyes are good for your health,
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