Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
[Acute contact eczema from paraphenylenediamine contained in temporary henna tattoos]
José M Martín1, Angeles Revert, Vicent Alonso
1Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Spain. jmmart@eresmas.com
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.
Related Concept Videos
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
Physical Properties of Amines
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Allergic Reactions
Acne Infection
