Temporary? henna tattoos

Abstract

Temporary henna tattoos have become increasingly popular during recent years among children and teenagers because of their apparent harmlessness and disappearance in few weeks. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a plant of the Lythraceae family. Black henna contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a very potent contact sensitizer which causes most of the complications related to henna tattoos: contact dermatitis (localized or generalized), hypertrophic scars and temporary or permanent hyper o hypopigmentation. More rarely, type I hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. PPD allergy can induce cross-reactivity with others substances like hair and textile dyes.
We report an 8-year-old boy with allergic contact dermatitis due to a temporary henna tattoo. Patch test showed a positive reaction to PPD. After the treatment with topical corticosteroid the lesion cleared with discrete residual hypopigmentation. In the absence of any legal control of henna tattooing practices, prevention requires the periodical provision of information to our patients and their parents.