Beware of some henna tatoos
By Albert Gray, found Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at tampabay.com
Henna tribal
tatoos can be a safe temporary adornment, but if the paste contains
para-phenylenediamine or PPD, it can cause severe allergic reactions that can
lead to scarring.
As students hit Florida's beaches for spring break, the Hernando County
Health Department wants everyone to be aware of health risks associated with
temporary "black henna" tribal tatoos, which have become popular in
recent years because they look like real tatoos.
The danger of "black henna" tatoos is that the black color often is
a result of the addition of black hair dye, which may contain a toxic chemical
called para-phenylenediamine, or PPD. PPD can cause severe allergic reactions,
resulting in itching, blistering and possible scarring.
True henna is made from crushed henna leaves, producing a green,
greenish-brown or reddish-brown powder that is mixed with harmless liquids, such
as oil and/or lemon juice, and applied to the skin.
The henna paste may be applied freehand or by tracing over a stencil with an
applicator or brush. No needle is involved. The paste, if left on the skin for
eight to 12 hours before removal, leaves a brown or reddish-brown finished tribal
tatoo. True henna is not known to cause allergic reactions.
The paste that is used for a "black henna" tattoo is black or
brownish-black and dries more quickly than pure henna. The dried paste can be
removed in approximately one hour, leaving a black finished tatoo.
Because of the added chemical PPD, "black henna" tattoos make
temporary artwork darker, last longer and look more like a real tattoo. The risk
of a more real-looking tattoo, however, is the possibility of a severe allergic
reaction.
Each year, the Florida Department of Health receives numerous reports, from
both children and adults, who had a severe allergic reaction from a temporary
"black henna" tribal tatoos they had applied while vacationing in the
state.
Individuals who experience a reaction to a temporary tattoo should seek
medical attention immediately. The general progression of symptoms includes
itching or burning, blistering, oozing, scab formation and, in some cases,
permanent scarring.
Symptoms may occur within a few hours or up to a few weeks, depending upon
the concentration of PPD in the paste and how allergic a person is.
In addition to immediate medical attention, allergic reactions should be
reported to the Hernando County Health Department at (352) 540-6802 or through
the Florida Department of Health's Web site at www.doh.state.fl.us
.
Albert Gray is the environmental health director for the Hernando County
Health Department.
Fast facts
Get henna safely
Before having a temporary tattoo applied:
• Check the color of the paste, which should be green, greenish-brown or
reddish-brown. Refuse it if the paste is black or brownish-black.
• Ask to see the ingredients of the paste, which should be henna leaves
and oil or lemon juice. Refuse it if para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is in the
ingredient list.
• Ask how long you must wait before removing the dried paste. Refuse it if
it can be removed in one hour or less. True henna tattoo paste must be left in
place for eight to 12 hours.
• Get thousands of inspirational motives to at shopper
tattoos
related: tribal tattoos
[Last modified: Mar 23, 2009 06:37 PM]
