Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

French

Background:

Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a coloring agent and potent sensitizer commonly added to henna tattoos to darken tattoo color. Photographic developers contain compounds that cross-react with PPD. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from photo developers has been documented in the literature.

Objective:

We describe the rare case of a photographer who presented with a 4-year history of recurrent ACD following exposure to photochemicals. History taking revealed that 10 years before presentation, he had received a temporary henna tattoo.

Methods:

The patient was patch-tested with 4-methylaminophenol sulfate (Metol), the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) series, and select other allergens.

Results:

Patch testing results revealed strong positive reactions to 4-methylaminophenol sulfate and PPD.

Conclusion:

This is the first report to our knowledge of ACD from a photo developer occurring as a consequence of previous sensitization to PPD from a temporary henna tattoo. Due to the potential for long-term sequelae, an awareness of the risks associated with henna tattoos is warranted.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Marks

Belsito

DeLeo

. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Standard tray patch test rersults (1992-1994). Am J Contact Dermat 1995;6:160–5, doi:10.1016/1046-199X(95)90122-1.

Matulich

Sullivan

. A temporary black henna tattoo causing hair and clothing dye allergy. Contact Dermatitis 2005;53:33–6, doi:10.1111/j.0105-1873.2005.00626.x.

Brancaccio

Brown

Chang

. Identification and quantification of para-phenylenediamine in a temporary black henna tattoo. Am J Contact Dermat 2002;13:15–8, doi:10.1053/ajcd.2002.30466.

DeLeo

. p-Phenylenediamine. Dermatitis 2006;17:53–5.

Kazandjieva

Grozdev

Tsankov

. Temporary henna tattoos. Clin Dermatol 2007;25:383–7, doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.05.013.

Zapolanski

Jacob

. Para-phenylenediamine. Dermatitis 2008;19:E20–1.

Laberge

Pratt

Fong

. A 10-year review of p-phenylenediamine allergy and related para-amino compounds at the Ottawa Patch Test Clinic. Dermatitis 2011;22:332–4.

Buckley

. Lichenoid eruptions following contact dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 1958;78:454–7, doi:10.1001/archderm.1958.01560100028005.

Lidén

. Occupational dermatoses at a film laboratory: follow-up after modernization. Contact Dermatitis 1989;20:191–200, doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1989.tb04656.x.

10.

Sánchez-Pérez

Álvarez-Ruiz

Ballasteros

. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from color developers used in automatic developing. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2005;94:261–3, doi:10.1016/S0001-7310(05)73083-0.

Photo Developer Allergic Contact Dermatitis in a Photographer Following Paraphenylenediamine Sensitization from a Temporary Henna Tattoo