Dermatitis de contacto por pseudotatuaje de henna negra

Abstract

Abstract—Henna is a natural dye extracted from the Lawsonia inermis shrub, whose use is on the rise, especially among children and young adults, due to the fashion trend of temporary tattoos. To make the tattoos last longer or intensify their color, different products are added to the henna, some of which are known sensitizing agents, such as paraphenylendiamine (PPD). We present the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with an erythematous, pruritic plaque on the side of the right arm 2-3 weeks after getting a temporary black henna tattoo. The lesion disappeared after treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids, leaving transient residual hypopigmentation, which cleared up spontaneously in 3 months. Skin testing showed contact sensitization to PPD, azo dyes and benzocaine, which were considered cross-reactions to the PPD, and to tetraethylthiuram.We would like to draw attention to the fact that this fashion of temporary black henna tattoos may cause sensitization with future repercussions.