title: Acute complications of tattooing presenting in the ED.
abstract: Permanent decorative tattooing involves the introduction of exogenous pigments and/or dyes into the dermis to produce the permanent design. Despite improved hygiene in the tattoo parlors of Western countries, this procedure still carries risk. Various complications may occur right after tattooing, from benign complications such as transient limb edema, palpable lymph nodes, and contact eczema, to more severe ones such as the inoculation of virulent microorganisms into the dermis, potentially life-threatening cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis or cutaneous vasculitis. This review focuses specifically on the complications that occur within the first month of tattooing that emergency physicians may have to manage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki, Skin and Allergies Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Meilahdentie 2, FI-00029 HUS, Finland. nicolaskluger@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kluger
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000209:etiology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*