As families head out for vacations during the summer months, many will allow their children to get a temporary tattoo for fun. These tattoos usually last from a few days to a few weeks before harmlessly fading away. The tattoos have been looked upon as a fun harmless experience but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently received reports from people who wound up in the in the emergency room after getting a temporary tattoo made with “black henna” ink.
Reported problems include
- Redness
- Blisters
- Raised red weeping lesions
- Loss of pigmentation
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Permanent scarring.
In the past, temporary tattoos have used henna ink which is a reddish-brown coloring made from plants. Today, more and more temporary tattoos are made with “black henna,” which may be a mix of henna and other ingredients, or may just be black hair dye. Other ingredients have been added to make the tattoo last longer.
If you or your child, experiences a reaction from a “temporary tattoo” seek medical attention.