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For bohemians everywhere

Warning: this is what a black henna tattoo can do

Black henna  blisters on Vanessas sons neck

Black henna blisters on Vanessas sons neck

Parent Vanessa Gent, of St Peter’s Road writes:
One of my sons decided to try a temporary henna tattoo, which was advertised as being perfectly safe and allergy-free.  He came home with a black Chinese pictogram of the word “gamble” on the side of his neck. I do not like tattoos but thought there would be no repercussions from something which would quickly fade.
A couple of weeks later, my son said he was having problems with the tattoo – an allergic reaction resulting in intense itching and soreness.  By the next day he was feeling feverish and had developed huge pus-filled blisters on the site of the tattoo and all round the area, plus a generalised rash around his face, eyes and trunk.  He went straight to A & E, and after being prescribed covering antibiotics he was told to see his own doctor, at Warrior Square, immediately. He prescribed further antibiotics and antihistamines and after a few days the itching is starting to subside and the blisters have discharged their poison; at their worst it required 11 different dressings overnight to contain the fluid. 
He is so depressed and self-conscious as a result of his recent experience that it is impossible to persuade him to leave the house.  I am very concerned not only for my son but for anyone who thinks these things are safe.  They want to look like their friends, be fashionable and to look different.  I can’t emphasise strongly enough how dangerous they are, and so far I can only speak of the short-term effects. The photograph, of course, cannot indicate just how painful the sores have been and was taken when they were starting to subside. Long-term scarring is likely and my son may have a life-long sensitivity to any substance containing PPD, the active chemical in the dye which is found in a plethora of hair colourants, sunscreens and cosmetics; he may find it is impossible for him to expose his skin to sunlight and at any time in the future when his immune system is compromised, such as by the herpes virus, the allergy could be reactivated, with effects which worsen over time.

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