Allergic contact dermatitis from temporary henna tattoo

J Dermatol. 2009 Jan;36(1):63-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2008.00588.x.

Abstract

Temporary henna tattooing has been very popular during recent years. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a plant from the Lythraceae family. For henna tattooing, henna dye is used. It is a dark green powder, made from the leaves of the plant, used for hair dyeing and body tattooing. Very often, para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is added to henna dye to make color blacker and to speed up dyeing. PPD may be a very potent contact sensitizer. We report a 9-year-old boy with allergic contact dermatitis due to temporary henna tattooing. Patch testing showed a positive reaction to PPD. After the treatment with topical corticosteroid and oral antihistamines, the lesion cleared with discrete residual hypopigmentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Allergens
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / etiology*
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Naphthoquinones / adverse effects*
  • Naphthoquinones / immunology
  • Patch Tests
  • Phenylenediamines / adverse effects
  • Phenylenediamines / immunology
  • Tattooing / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Phenylenediamines
  • lawsone
  • 4-phenylenediamine