Tattoo Reactions Research Articles

Lichenoid tattoo reaction responding to topical tacrolimus ointment

Conflict of interest: none declared. A 51‐year‐old man had four tattoos applied to his skin between 1996 and 2001. The first, on his right anterior chest wall, was drawn by a different artist from the other three, which were sited on the left anterior chest wall, the proximal right lower leg and the distal right lower leg, in 1997, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The constituent parts of the dyes used were not known. Within weeks of shaving the hair overlying the leg tattoos, the patient developed severe itching, irritation and associated thickening of the red‐coloured areas of the tattoos (Fig. 1a). Similar but intermittent symptoms arose in the left chest tattoo, while that on the right, by the other artist, remained quiescent. Patch tests to the European standard series and mercury were negative but the patient reacted to disperse blue dyes 106 and 124 at 96 h. Baseline biopsy showed hyperkeratosis and a dense dermal inflammatory cell infiltrate comprising mainly lymphocytes in keeping with a lichenoid reaction. Potent topical steroid treatment was of limited and short‐lived benefit. A trial of topical tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) dramatically relieved his intense itching and after daily application for 3 months, there was evidence of flattening of the thickened red‐dye areas (Fig. 1b). Repeat biopsy after this interval showed histological improvement, with a normal epidermis and a moderate dermal inflammatory cell infiltrate, in keeping with an ongoing hypersensitivity reaction to the tattoo pigment.

P20 Red tattoo reactions

Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, although reactions to tattoos remain relatively uncommon. We describe 4 patients with a variety of red tattoo reactions, one responding well to intralesional steroid therapy.Case 1: A 50‐year‐old man presented with a florid, inflammatory reaction confined to the red area of his forearm tattoo. Biopsy showed a dense lymphocytic and focal macrophage response to tattoo pigment. Mass spectrometry of biopsy tissue revealed high concentrations of titanium and iron. Patch testing was negative. Intralesional steroid injection has produced a marked improvement.Case 2: A 42‐year‐old man presented with an inflammatory reaction affecting the red area of his leg tattoo. Biopsy revealed a florid lymphoid reaction.Case 3: A 30‐year‐old man presented with an eczematous reaction within the red/brown pigmented areas of his tattoos, which was exacerbated by sun exposure. Patch testing showed a (+) positive reaction to cadmium after 96 hours. Photo patch testing was negative. The reaction settled spontaneously within 12 months.Case 4: A 37‐year‐old woman presented with a florid, indurated inflammatory reaction involving the red area of a shoulder tattoo. Patch testing revealed a (++) and (+) positive reaction to nickel and cobalt respectively with a doubtful (?+) reaction to mercury 0.5% in petrolatum after 96 hours. Tattoo reactions, especially red tattoo reactions can present with a spectrum of histological changes, including lichenoid, granulomatous, hypersensitivity, nodular, pseudolymphomatous or sarcoidal reactions. One of our cases responded well to intralesional steroid injection and one case resolved spontaneously.

Temporary tattoo dermatitis

Dermatologic conditions are common among persons who have recently traveled.1Ryan ET Wilson ME Kari KC Current concepts: illness after international travel.N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 505-516Crossref PubMed Scopus (272) Google Scholar We share our recent experience with a young traveler in whom an allergic contact dermatitis to henna developed. While on vacation in the Dominican Republic, an 11-year-old boy had temporary henna tattoos applied to his upper arms bilaterally by a street artist. Two weeks later an erythematous, pruritic rash developed at the tattoo sites. He was seen by his pediatrician, who prescribed topical steroid therapy with fluticasone propionate ointment, oral prednisone, and cetirizine. On referral, examination revealed erythematous patches with accentuation at the borders of the tattoo sites (Figure).In addition, erythematous papules were clustered on the upper chest, face and extensor aspects of the extremities. A biopsy specimen taken from the left wrist revealed spongiotic dermatitis, subacute type with eosinophilia suggesting an id reaction. At follow-up examination one week later, the eruption had cleared completely. Henna is derived from the Lawsonia tree, which grows in the hot climates of India, the Middle East, and North Africa.2Kulkarni PD Herron JB Moores WB Hahn HB What is your diagnosis? Allergic contact dermatitis to paraphenylenediamine in a temporary henna tattoo.Cutis. 2001; 68: 229-230Google Scholar Skin painting or pseudotattooing is traditionally performed with henna or other labile vegetable substances, primarily in Muslim and Hindu persons.3Le Coz CJ Lefebvre C Keller F Grosshans E Allergic contact dermatitis caused by skin painting (pseudotattooing) with black henna, a mixture of henna and p-phenylenediamine and its derivatives.Arch Dermatol. 2000; 136: 1515-1517Crossref PubMed Scopus (122) Google Scholar Temporary henna tattoos are becoming more popular, especially among teenagers and travelers, resulting in more extensive henna use worldwide.4Onder M Atahan CA Oztas P Oztas MO Temporary henna tattoo reactions in children.Int J Dermatol. 2001; 40: 577-579Crossref PubMed Scopus (67) Google Scholar Allergic and irritant reactions are rare with henna, which is relatively safe. However, additives such as paraphenylenediamine, a well recognized contact allergen that is sometimes mixed with henna to impart color to the pure reddish-brown paste, may result in more common reactions to henna tattooing.

Black tattoo reaction: The peacock's tale

Black tattoo reaction: The peacock's tale

Laser-Induced Allergic Tattoo Reactions

Q-switched ruby, alexandrite, and Nd:YAG lasers, which have become the treatments of choice for tattoos, have been associated with limited local morbidity and no systemic effects. This report describes two cases of widespread allergic reactions to tattoo pigment apparently induced by Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers. In one case, a 26-year-old woman underwent Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG laser treatment of a multicolored decorative tattoo. Three weeks after treatment she …

(9) Chromate dermatitis from cement causing a tattoo reaction

(9) Chromate dermatitis from cement causing a tattoo reaction

Red tattoo reactions: X-ray microanalysis and patch-test studies

Eighteen patients who developed cutaneous reactions to red tattoos were studied to identify the chemicals responsible for the reactions to modern red tattoo pigments. Biopsies from the tattoos were examined histologically and the chemical composition of the red pigments was analysed by X-ray microanalysis. A variety of metallic elements including aluminium, iron, calcium, titanium, silicon, mercury and cadmium were detected. Patch tests were performed to the relevant chemicals in nine cases, and only one patient reacted to mercury. This study demonstrates that although reactions to mercury still occur, other red dyes containing a variety of inorganic pigments may provoke a cutaneous inflammatory response.

Retattooing After the Treatment of a Red Tattoo Reaction with the CO2 Laser

Retattooing After the Treatment of a Red Tattoo Reaction with the CO₂ Laser

(32) Tattoo reaction with generalized lichen planus

Journal Article (32) Tattoo reaction with generalized lichen planus Get access V.S. Neild, V.S. Neild St Helier Hospital, Carshalton Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar E.L. Rhodes E.L. Rhodes St Helier Hospital, Carshalton Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 113, Issue s29, 1 July 1985, Page 77, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb13047.x Published: 01 July 1985

(31) Lichenoid tattoo reaction

(31) Lichenoid tattoo reaction

Lichenoid tattoo reactions

Two young men, tattooed early in 1977 by the same London tattooist, both rapidly developed lichenoid lesions confined entirely to the red dyed areas.

Lichenoid Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions in Tattoos

Two patients with an inflammatory reaction in a red tattoo had histopathologic changes of lichen planus. The lesions demonstrated a lymphocytic bandlike infiltrate, liquefaction degeneration, acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and orthokeratosis and many hyaline bodies. Metal particles were observed in the region of the dermal-epidermal reaction. This probably is another example of the lichenoid reaction produced by delayed cellular hypersensitivity.

Sarcoidal reactions in tattoos

A sarcoidal reaction in a tattoo may be an isolated finding or it may represent a cutaneous sign of systemic disease. Two cases of systemic sarcoidosis with granulomatous reactions in tattoos are reported. In each the presenting complaint was the development of a nodule within a tattoo of many years duration. The diagnosis was suspected when histological examination of an intracutaneous nodule revealed a granulomatous reaction of the sarcoidal type. Further studies such as biopsy of lymph nodes, chest x-ray films, and culture studies established the diagnosis. The need for complete evaluation of patients with sarcoidal reactions in tattoos is stressed.

Sarcoidal Reactions in Tattoos

A sarcoidal reaction in a tattoo may be an isolated finding or it may represent a cutaneous sign of systemic disease. Two cases of systemic sarcoidosis with granulomatous reactions in tattoos are reported. In each the presenting complaint was the development of a nodule within a tattoo of many years duration. The diagnosis was suspected when histological examination of an intracutaneous nodule revealed a granulomatous reaction of the sarcoidal type. Further studies such as biopsy of lymph nodes, chest x-ray films, and culture studies established the diagnosis. The need for complete evaluation of patients with sarcoidal reactions in tattoos is stressed.

Sarcoidal reactions in tattoos

Sarcoidal reactions in tattoos

Tattoo reactions.

Tattoo reactions.

Unusual reactions in yellow tattoos: microscopic studies on histologic sections.

Unusual reactions in yellow tattoos: microscopic studies on histologic sections.

Reactions in green tatoos. The significance of the valence state of chromium.

Allergic reactions in green tattoos have now been reported in seven cases,1-5of whom four showed a foreign-body and/or sarcoid reaction on histologic examination. The typical case acquires an allergic sensitivity to dichromates and later presents a reaction in areas tattooed with chrome green many years before. The fact that the chrome in dichromates and the chrome used in tattooing differ fundamentally in their chemical, biologic, and allergenic behavior has hitherto been ignored. In the absence of cross sensitivity between chrome in its different states of valence another explanation of this phenomenon must be sought. Report of a Case The patient, a white man, age 35, was first seen in August, 1958. Employed as a bricklayer, he was in frequent contact with wet cement. For one year he has had a persistent eczema of the hands and legs, with occasional generalized dissemination. Patch tests with potassium dichromate were positive

Reactions in tattoos, chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.

Reactions in tattoos generally fall into one of four groups. The reactions in one group consist in the immediate response of the skin to the physical injury of tattooing. This is rarely accompanied with or followed by secondary infection. In rare instances keloid,1melanoma,2severe pyogenic infection,3amputation,3gangrene3and even death3have been reported as direct consequences of tattooing. Allergic reactions to the material used in tattooing can occur immediately or at any time during the existence of the tattoo. Allergic reactions to mercury, usually used in the red part of tattoos, have been most frequently noted.4The allergic dermatitis may either be confined to the tattoo or be generalized. The allergenic mercurial compound causing the dermatitis need not be the mercuric sulfide (cinnabar) in the tattoo, but it can be any form of mercury which is used on the skin

Reactions in tattoos: Madden, J. F.: Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 40: 256, 1939

Reactions in tattoos: Madden, J. F.: Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 40: 256, 1939