Henna – Temporary Tattoo Trouble

Author: Devin Ragoonanan, Vikram Baicher / Editor: Nick Tilbury / Codes: / Published: 30/05/2024

A 17-year-old female presents to your Emergency Department (ED) complaining of an intense burning pain to her left forearm starting a few hours ago. She tells you she returned from holiday in Morocco earlier today and that she had a black henna temporary tattoo applied while there 8 days prior. She says she has had henna tattoos twice before without any issues.

The patient has no known allergies and no history of atopy or dermatitis. On examination there is a pustulovesicular, erythematous rash on her forearm in the outline of the tattoo. Examination is otherwise normal and her observations are stable.

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