Delayed hypersensitivity reaction from black henna tattoo manifesting as severe facial swelling

Am J Emerg Med. 2008 May;26(4):515.e3-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.08.010.

Abstract

We report on a 14-year-old boy who was presented to the emergency department with an acute swelling of the face and scalp 3 days after using a new hair dye. The patient had applied a black henna tattoo 1 year earlier. Patch testing revealed an allergy to the potent skin sensitizer paraphenylenediamine, a common ingredient of hair dyes and also found in black henna tattoo. It is important for emergency physicians to be aware of the possibility of a delayed type-IV hypersensitivity reaction from black henna tattoos manifesting as an acute contact dermatitis. These patients may have gross facial swelling but should not be treated for angioedema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Coloring Agents / adverse effects*
  • Edema / immunology*
  • Face
  • Hair Dyes / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology*
  • Male
  • Naphthoquinones / adverse effects*
  • Phenylenediamines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Hair Dyes
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Phenylenediamines
  • lawsone
  • 4-phenylenediamine