Journal de l'allergie et de la thérapie

Abstrait

Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Aminoazobenzene in Tattoo

Tammaro A, Cortesi G, Abruzzese C, Narcisi A, Orsini D, Giulianelli V, Parisella FR, De Marco G, Grippando FR and Persechino S

The tattoo phenomena is expanding rapidly among young people, all around the world: the process of tattooing involves the repetitive piercing of the skin with ink-filled needles, with the use of different types of pigment, like Azo ones. These azo-pigments are used for printing, painting of cars and staining of various consumer products. These pigments may contain titanium dioxide for lightening the shade, precursors and by-products of pigment synthesis, as well as diluents that are used for pigment suspension.

We presented a clinical case of a 35 years old woman with 2 week history of itching allergic dermatitis presenting with heat, erythema and scaling appeared in the area of a colored tattoo on her shoulder 2 months after tattooing. Lesions where localized in the orange pigmented areas.

We did a Patch test of SIDAPA series that resulted negative. Special series F.I.R.M.A. for tattoo was positive for aminoazobenzene-p 0.25% (++2) and phenylenediamine base-p 1%. Aminoazobenzene cause orange pigment.

We performed local infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide, with temporary resolution of clinical manifestation.