Allergic Contact Dermatitis from a Henna Tattoo

Abstract

A 19-year-old otherwise healthy Kuwaiti woman presented 8 days after the brush application of a temporary henna tattoo while in Kuwait for a wedding. Burning and itching at the site of application began 6 days after the application, indicating that the reaction was more likely caused by an allergen than by an irritant; these symptoms were followed 1 day later by a vigorous blistering reaction (Panel A). Examination revealed tense bullae without surrounding inflammation in a geometric pattern that strictly mirrored the sites of application (Panel B). Temporary henna tattooing is a custom at weddings in much of the world. . . .