Childhood allergic contact dermatitis from henna tattoo.
Henna is a shrub cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, and North Africa; it is used, mixed with other substances, as a hair and body dye. Several cases are reported in the literature of sensitization to para-phenylenediamine (PPD) contained in the henna tincture, but few of these are pediatric cases. We report two instances of allergic contact dermatitis due to temporary tattoos in children. In one case a patch test was positive for PPD. We suggest that the fashion of temporary henna tattoos in children is to be discouraged due to the serious consequences that a sensitization to PPD could have in their future.
Neri
I
I
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Guareschi
E
E
Savoia
F
F
Patrizi
A
A
D002648:Child; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D010655:Phenylenediamines; C005090:lawsone; C029728:4-phenylenediamine