Are henna tattoos harmless? Report of clinical cases

Abstract

The black henna tattoo has been of use in Mexico for a long time. It has become popular in the last few years mostly in young children and adolescents. The traditional henna tattoo is obtained from the Lawsonia alba and inermis plant. However, para-phenylenediamine (PPDA) is added to this so it can last longer, look darker, and look like a permanent tattoo. This increases its allergic potential since it has no sanitary regulation of the concentration of PPDA that it is used. We present three cases of children with contact allergic dermatitis caused by black henna which resolved with low potency topical steroids. The objective of this is to educate contact health-care professionals to be aware of this adverse effect on black henna and also to educate patients and patients' families about the risk of applying it, since it can have severe allergic reactions.

Keywords

• Black henna tattoo
• contact allergic dermatitis
• para-phenylenediamine