Severe contact dermatitis induced by an unusual blend of pure henna

Abstract

Halit Baykan, Kemal Ozyurt, Aysegul Baykan, Mehmet Ozkose, Hilmi Sen

Henna is a natural dye extracted from Lawsonia inermis leaves and is commonly used all over the world to dye skin, hair and leather. Pure henna is rarely reported as a cause of contact dermatitis. However, in many reports, additives of henna, especially paraphenylenediamine, have been accused of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. This report is not only exhibiting a rare form of contact dermatitis resembling a chemical burn, but is also providing an insight into henna, which is widely used and commonly seen as safe.