A Case Study: Allergic Reaction to Henna Ink

For the first time, severe allergic cellulitis resulted from henna ink (ink for colouring skin and hair in arabic comunity) was reported to be admitted in Pediatric ward Mubarak Alkabir Hospital-Kuwait.

The patient was a 5 year old girl, known having allergic to henna previously in a limited area of her skin. However it was resolved with topical application.

The allergic reaction started immediatly after application of skin collouring agent on the lateral region of right lower arm. First symtomps were developing itchiness, redness which were getting worse to swelling and edema. About 12-14 hours afterward, the area was becaming much more worse with an emerging of blisters, painfull sensation and limitation of movement due to severe edema. The surface was likely to be kind of burn reaction, as more blisters filled up with serous discharges variety in sizes developed mssively. The further reactions was leakage of serossangouinish dischages/fluid from the edematous tissues.

The most prominent complain upon the admission were pain and alteration in skin integrity. It was clearly understand due to inflamation and tisues injury reaction. Therefore patient was treated with hydrocortisone and acetamenophen as antyinflamatory agent and analgesic respectivelly. Some blood works (CBC, SUE and Immunogobullin study)have been taken revealed a slight ellevation of white blood cell, whereas others shown to be normal. The ellevation was found more remarkable in the day 2 of care (day 3 of the allergic reaction).

In day 1 of care, She also was treated with combination of cefotaxime and cloccacillin as profilaxys. Despite, wound care was done to clean the severe fluid leakage and debriss since some blisters became opened due to movement during her sleeping. Sofratule and light gauze was applied as dry dressing after being cleaned with normal saline and betadine.

The inflamation procces at the day 2 put the patient in more terrible situation with more fluid leaking, and more pain complain. However, cold dressing and analgesic administration have helped her to be more comfortable.
Dramaticall changes was noted at the first time at the day 4. Although some blisters were remained, but it became smaler in sizes and flatter. Edema was generally reduced as well as fluid leakage became minimal. The skin laceration from the opened blisters was dry with minimal crust. No singns of secondary infection during healing procces noted.

She started to have social activity in palying roon at the day 6, while antibiotics, and antyinflamatory agent were continued. Pain sensation most likelly to be reduced and well tollerated since the day 4. At the day 7 of care, patient was discharged home with wound care techcique skill and pantenol and fusibact as topical agents.