Management of Atopic Dermatitis Due to Black Henna by Manuka Honey
Despite the aesthetic, the horror of black henna should not be overlooked. The chemical present in black henna, which gives it characteristic black color, is paraphenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is normally found in hair dyes, where the amount is strictly monitored. However, there are no laws regulating the concentration of PPD in black henna, resulting in increased risk of chemical burns on skin. PPD is extremely harmful for skin, resulting in symptoms ranging from mild tingling on application to severe blistering on skin. It is comparatively dangerous in case there is a prior history of similar reaction to hair dye or PPD due to sensitization. A journal reported a case of 22 years old woman, known case of mild eczema, who suffered from severe reaction to black henna. The initial tingling was followed by eruption of blisters due to extreme acute inflammatory reaction. Antibiotics and steroids were immediately initiated. Dressing was applied on wounds. After 2 weeks, few of the blisters subsided with formation of hypertrophic scars. Silicone therapy was started to prevent hypertrophic scar formation; however, it was not at all effective. The patient did some research on her own and started using manuka honey for the scars, which miraculously healed most of the scars within a day. Normal skin was restored within a month of application. The literature reports use of manuka honey in animals for non-healing scars for the last 20 years. However, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties may make it choice of treatment in case of non-healing wounds and hypertrophic scars in humans as well, once researchers conclude its beneficial properties. Source Manuka Honey: A Case Study of Severe Atopic Eczematous Dermatitis Reaction to Henna Tattoo https://journals.lww.com/psnjournalonline/Abstract/2017/10000/Manuka_Honey__A_Case_Study_of_Severe_Atopic.8.aspx Image via https://www.nwfacts.com/black-henna-tattoos-may-put-risk/
