A New Zealand mother is warning tourists about the dangers of black henna tattoos after her 10-year-old son suffered a severe reaction to one in Bali. Danielle Choat and her family were watching the sunset on Kuta Beach on September 21 when a man offered them temporary tattoos. Only her son Mason agreed, receiving an intricate black design on his right inner forearm.
Seven days after returning to New Zealand, the tattoo became itchy and, once washed off, developed into painful welts. Despite a week of topical and oral antibiotics, Choat told 7NEWS.com.au there has been no improvement. The tattoo is now scabbing but still looks terrible.
The reaction was caused by black henna ink, which contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a toxic chemical used in hair dye. PPD can cause blisters, permanent scarring, and sensitisation dermatitis, as well as bronchial asthma, nausea, sore throats, and lightheadedness. In Australia, it is illegal to use PPD on skin, but it is more common in overseas destinations like Bali.
Choat advises tourists to ensure their henna is all natural. Expat resource Living In Indonesia suggests asking how long the mixture takes to stain and how long it lasts. If it stains in an hour or two or lasts a week or more, PPD may be present. Traditional henna takes six to 12 hours to stain and lasts less than a week.
