Heavy metal and tattoo: an allergy and legislative problem
A Tammaro1, G Cortesi2, F Pigliacelli2
1Dermatology Unit, NESMOS Department, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza" Phone: +39 06 3377 5907 Fax: +39 06 3377 5378
European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|July 19, 2016
Summary
A young man developed itchy, red bumps after getting a tattoo. Patch testing revealed allergies to copper and a blue dye used in tattoos.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Tattooing is a common practice globally.
- Adverse skin reactions to tattoo pigments can occur.
- Delayed hypersensitivity reactions are a known complication.
Observation:
- A 23-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of pruritus, erythema, and papules on his legs, arms, and trunk.
- The skin lesions appeared two months after receiving a new tattoo.
- The patient reported no immediate adverse effects post-tattooing.
Findings:
- Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to copper.
- A positive patch test reaction to Disperse Blue dye was also observed.
- These findings suggest allergic contact dermatitis to tattoo components.
Implications:
- Copper and certain dyes in tattoos can cause delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
- Dermatologists should consider tattoo pigment allergy in patients with unexplained dermatitis.
- Further research into tattoo pigment safety and allergenicity is warranted.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
104
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial...
104
00:57The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
205.1K
Overview
205.1K
01:27The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
23.3K
Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Periodic Table Provides Information...
23.3K
01:36Types of Toxins
3.9K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.9K
01:19Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
96
Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum...
96
02:06Allergic Reactions
33.3K
Overview
33.3K