I've got a skin reaction I think is linked to the henna I had done about 2 weeks ago.

I want to ask you guys cos you're used to having henna done and here it's not as popular.

3 years ago, I had henna done on my hands up to my wrists and within 24 hours it literally burnt the skin off my wrists.

I came home and looked it up. I found that some hennas have a man made dye added to them and some people are allergic to it. When I told the people who had applied it, they said the henna was pure and that maybe it had expired..

This time around, I thought I'd have it done again, but this time in a proper salon.. and I told the girl who did it that I had a reaction the time before... she shrugged it off as a one-off.

We did it, and it itched a bit.. but all was ok. 24 hours later it was still ok. This was on the 28th of December.

A couple of days ago, I realised that I had a few spots.. like mosquito bites.. on my feet. I scratched them and they itch even more.

Today I realised that the whole area has inflamed.. my ankles are swollen (not sure if it has anything to do with the henna or mere coincidence) and the skin is red. The spots increased but they're only on parts of the skin that is still stained with henna. The henna has almost completely washed off..


http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9484/20080113001vf9.jpg


Has this ever happened to any of you?

What's the best thing to do?



To hitman or Fahad: If this is an allergic reaction, do you think Zyrtec would work on this?

I won't think of anything else but that it's a hypersensitivity immune reaction to Henna, in the past you had an immediate reaction but this time around it's rather a delayed reaction known as allergic contact dermatitis

Though it is a mild condition, in certain people when they are re-exposed to the allergen then a fatal allergic reaction can occur known as anaphylactic reaction

Since your ankles are swollen it's better you see your doctor & you might require a hydrocortisone injection & oral tablets for a few days, even Zeet injection can be very effective

Zyrtec is good & would defenitely work, add to it Calamine lotion too

All the best

Are you saying that doing henna again could kill me? :hyper: Blimey! I'd never thought it was that serious.

I'll start myself off on Zyrtec and see my doc tomorrow. I'll put calamine lotion too.

Thanks for the help, hitman.