Systemic Allergic Reaction to Red Tattoo Ink Requiring Excision.

Sir:

We present a case of a systemic allergic red tattoo reaction that required excision and skin grafting after failure of other therapies.

Tattoos are associated with an increased risk of infection, eczema, psoriasis, hyperplasia, granulomatous reactions, and neoplasm, with red ink as the most common culprit for allergic reactions. Although artists have replaced dangerous mercury-based cinnabar dyes with organic red dyes, the latter are not risk free.[1,2] A 48-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for rosacea, celiac disease, and migraines, as well as allergy to lanolin and sulfa, and no heavy metal allergy, was referred to our clinic after a reaction to a tattoo on the dorsum of the left foot. One month after the tattoo was completed, she reported that the red-pigmented areas became raised and pruritic, whereas the rest remained flat (Fig. 1). It is unknown what red dye was used for this tattoo. A biopsy from a red portion showed an exuberant lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with extensive cinnabar pigment deposition.

Fig. 1.

Tattoo before intervention. Note the raised, ruborous regions exclusively demarcated by areas containing red ink.

One month after the initial reaction, the patient developed a widespread eruption on her trunk and extremities showing changes consistent with dermatitis on histopathology. Topical clobetasol (Cormax), intralesional steroids, and a single CO2 laser treatment did not improve symptoms. After the rash spread to her face, she was given 3 courses of systemic corticosteroids, which improved but did not resolve her symptoms.

Upon examination, the violet-colored areas were indurated; there was no evidence of the previous widespread dermatitis. The patient also demonstrated evidence for mild tinea pedis and her previously diagnosed rosacea, with scaling over the soles and pinpoint papules with erythema over the cheeks. Patch testing using the 80 allergen standard North American Screening Series, the patient’s personal care products, and a select metal series was only positive for lanolin and negative for heavy metals found in tattoo dyes.

The patient was referred for surgical excision as this was thought to be the best option for her persistent symptoms. Eight months after her initial reaction, she underwent a 6-cm excision with complex wound closure to preserve tattoo geometry. Two months later, another 15-cm excision removed the remaining induration. The wound was filled with a 15- × 6-cm full-thickness skin graft and with a 50-cm2 rotation flap. Follow-up 1 week later showed a well-healed site with a complete take of the graft (Fig. 2). Her systemic symptoms also resolved.

Fig. 2.

Tattoo after skin graft. The tattoo is no longer reactive, and the skin graft has taken well, with minimal erythema and scarring.

Although allergic reactions are a known complication of tattoos, systemic reactions like the one we describe are rare. Interestingly, patch testing to mercury, manganese, and cadmium was negative in our case; this is possibly because some pigments require a haptenization process to become allergenic.[3] Furthermore, patch testing is often negative because the reaction is caused by intracutaneous rather than epicutaneous challenge.[4] Laser removal is not indicated as it may worsen symptoms by releasing allergens from pigmented cells.[5] Thus, in cases resistant to topical or injected steroids or showing systemic symptoms, surgeons should consider immediate excision of indurated tattoos.