[Acute contact eczema from paraphenylenediamine contained in temporary henna tattoos]

Abstract

Henna is a plant with coloring properties which is used as a dye for hair and skin, on occasion mixed with other substances. Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is one of the additives used to accelerate drying, improve definition and darken its reddish color. There are several descriptions in literature of sensitization to the PPD contained in henna. We describe 3 new cases of allergic contact dermatitis to temporary tattoos, with skin tests positive for PPD in 2 of them. The lesions resolved in one of the patients, leaving persistent hypopigmentation. It is important for the population to be aware of this circumstance and the risk entailed by sensitization to PPD.