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Review
. 2020 Jun;204(6):616-621.
doi: 10.1016/j.banm.2020.04.009. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

[Uveitis and tattoos]

[Article in French]
J Bazex  1 , J-L Arné  1 , D Lambert  2
Affiliations
Review

[Uveitis and tattoos]

[Article in French]
J Bazex et al. Bull Acad Natl Med. 2020 Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

The complications of tattoos are multiple and known for many years. However, their success explains their exponential multiplication in all countries. This confirmed the development of two new complications: a localized or remote skin sarcoidosis reaction, as well as the development of clinical and histological uveitis. This is in the context of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, or a granulomatous reaction. Their prevention remains rather poorly known. It requires that each tattoo-carrying subject perform a systemic sarcoidosis check-up as well as an ophthalmological investigation in search of possible uveitis. If confirmed, preventive and therapeutic measures will be carried out in emergencies to avoid blindness. These new complications confirm the extreme severity of the use of uncontrolled inks, real toxic and sensitizing mixtures, especially apparently during extensive colorful tattoos. These particularly aggressive colored inks release multiple substances and nanoparticles into the body, not all of which are measured in the medium and long term.

Les complications des tatouages sont multiples et connues depuis de nombreuses années. Cependant, leur succès explique leur multiplication exponentielle dans tous les pays. Cela a permis de confirmer l’apparition de deux nouvelles complications : une réaction de type sarcoïdose cutanée, localisée ou à distance, ainsi que l’apparition d’uvéites cliniques et histologiques. Ceci dans le cadre d’une réaction d’hypersensibilité retardée, et/ou bien d’une réaction granulomateuse. Leur prévention reste assez mal connue. Elle impose de réaliser chez chaque sujet porteur d’un tatouage un bilan de sarcoïdose systémique ainsi qu’une enquête ophtalmologique à la recherche d’une éventuelle uvéite. Si elle se confirme, seront aussitôt réalisés en urgence des mesures préventives et thérapeutiques afin d’éviter une cécité. Ces nouvelles complications confirment l’extrême gravité de l’utilisation d’encres non contrôlées, véritables mélanges toxiques et sensibilisants, notablement lors de tatouages colorés étendus. Ces encres colorées particulièrement agressives libèrent dans l’organisme de multiples substances et nanoparticules dont on ne mesure pas toutes les conséquences néfastes, à moyen et long terme.

Keywords: Sarcoidosis; Tattoo; Uveitis; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada melanocyte.

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References

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