Darkening the Colours of Mehndi

Researchers in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Italy, are worried about the henna or mehndi shrub, commonly cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and North Africa. But before you junk the hair-pack, wait a minute. Researchers are more worried about the impact of the henna tincture on the skin, especially in children.

There are records of several cases of sensitisation to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a component of the henna tincture, but two instances of allergic contact dermatitis have been recently reported in two children who went in for temporary tattoos with mehndi. In one case, a patch test was positive for PPD, which is associated with a high risk of active sensitisation. ‘‘We suggest that the fashion of temporary henna tattoos in children be discouraged due to the serious consequences that a sensitisation to PPD could have in their future,’’ warned Antonella Tosti, MD, in her research paper.

(Information Courtesy: National Library of Medicine)