Urticaria and angioneurotic edema due to the temporary henna tattoo

Temporary henna tattoo, which has become popular among young people, is obtained from the mixture of the plants Lawsonia alba or Lawsonia inermis and paraphenylenediamine (PPD). In forming reactions frequent development of anti-PPD substance is noticed. A 13-year old boy who started itching, erythema, enduration on the application area, increasingly urticarial rash, conjunctivitis and swelling of the lips 48 h after being applied the temporary henna tattoo was hospitalized. He had a local reaction to henna tattoo when he was 5-year old. He was treated with parenteral corticosteroids and oral antihistaminic drugs. Skin reactions persisted for 18 days. The patient showed no early reaction to henna 10% and PPD 1% concentration in saline solution but did late reaction (after 48 h) to PPD in diameter of 12x13 mm in prick test in 3 weeks after the reaction. A case who developed angioneurotic edema and urticaria to temporary henna tattoo noticed that the henna tattoo is not an innocent application and young people need to be informed on this subject.