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Allergy to a Temporary Tattoo

Temporary tattoos normally provide a safe, non-painful (and cheap) alternative to traditional tattoos. One method of temporary tattooing is through henna ink. Caution of this method is advised, however, as doctors are seeing a rise in skin reactions after subjects have received temporary black henna tattoos.

  1. Black Henna

    • Normal henna ink is developed from plant leaves that provide a brown, red or green hue. However, some tattoo artists add a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) to darken the ink to black.

    Paraphenylenediamine

    • PPD is a textile dye and is noted by the Food and Drug Administration as a cutaneous irritant. The higher the concentration and the longer the exposure to skin, the worse reaction PPD will cause, according to Baylor Health Center's Dr. Gregory Sonnen.

    Symptoms

    • If a person exhibits hypersensitivity to PPD contained within a black henna tattoo, symptoms often begin with itching and reddening skin around the area of the tattoo. This can worsen into swollen bumps and blisters before the skin erupts into a weeping lesion, according to an article published in the Dermatology Online Journal.

    Risk

    • At a session held by the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Sharon Jacob stated that "each exposure to PPD re-challenges the immune system, so each time you get a black henna tattoo or use a hair dye that contains PPD, there is an increased risk of having a reaction."

    Treatment

    • If you have received a black henna tattoo and show any reaction, Dr. Jacob recommends a visit to your local dermatologist for diagnosis. Severe reactions such as blistering or swelling should be addressed by immediate medical attention. Topical steroids can minimize the reaction if caught soon enough.

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