title: Granulomatous reaction to red tattoo pigment treated with allopurinol.
abstract: Granulomatous reactions to tattoo ink are most commonly associated with mercury sulfide, a component of red pigments. Treatment options show limited results. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, has been reported as a successful alternative treatment to granulomatous disorders, such as sarcoidosis and granulomatous reactions to fillers and tattoos. We report a case of granulomatous reaction to red tattoo pigment treated with allopurinol for 6 months. Good clinical improvement could be noticed during this time. Two months after we stopped the treatment, the lesion recurred. Allopurinol emerges as an important drug for the management of granulomatous reactions caused by tattoo pigments. Based on the significant clinical improvement noticed during its use, we recommend new studies to elucidate all the potential benefits of the use of allopurinol for the treatment of granulomatous reactions to tattoo ink.
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Marteleto
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Godinho
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aguinaga
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grynszpan
authors.affiliation: Sector of Plastic Surgery, Ivo Pitanguy Institute/Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor Maselli
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: David Rubem
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Azulay
authors.affiliation: Sector of Pathology and Post-Graduation Course, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tullia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cuzzi
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramos-E-Silva
authors.affiliation: Sector of Dermatology and Post-Graduation Course in Dermatology, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manela-Azulay
mesh_terms: D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D000493:Allopurinol; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase
keywords: allopurinol; granulomatous reaction; red pigment; tattoo