IF IT STAINS BLACK IT IS NOT HENNA ! A RARE CASE OF ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS TO PURE HENNA (Lawsonia inermis, alba ).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We know that Allergic Contact Dermatitis is extremely rare to pure Henna application all over
the world, but incidence of allergy to temporary tattoo is increasing in North America secondary to presence of pphenylenediamine (PPD) in Temporary Black Tattoo.
OBJECTIVE: This case report documents a rare case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Pure Henna in Canada.
METHOD AND RESULT: We present a case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) to pure henna in an Asian
girl in Canada who had her first possible exposure to pure henna six years ago in India.
Her second exposure occurred in Alberta when she used a Henna paste contained in a plastic cone bought locally from a store.
She developed vesiculo-bullous eruption at the site of application. A diagnosis of ACD was made. She was treated with potent topical steroid for two weeks.
Patch testing was done with PPD and Henna paste after six weeks of cooling period.
CONCLUSION: This is one first case of ACD to Pure Henna ( Lawsonia Inermis, alba ) in Canada.