Henna Tattoo

What a shocking holiday period it was for three young people, from the UK, all of whom received a henna tattoo. Three stories were published this week, in as many days, on 2 children and a teenager all of whom had severe reactions to henna (temporary) tattoos.

On the 9th of October the Round Town News in the UK reported a boy of the age of 3 having a severe reaction to a Bart Simpson henna. Vinnie England had the henna tattoo done on his right arm whilst on holidays at a local street stall in Benidorm. But days later he complained that his arm was hurting and soon the temporary image began to turn red and blister. Doctors say the Bart Simpson-shaped scar will remain on his arm for life.

On the 11th of October The Norwich Evening News in the UK reported that a nine year old had a severe reaction to tribal henna tattoo. Tyler Ewles had the henna tattoo imprinted on his back whilst on holidays at a night market at Guardamar near Spain. Eight days later his skin became itchy, sore and blistered. A doctor at Acle Medical Centre told Tyler’s mum the reaction may have been caused by the black hair dye, paraphenylenediamine, which is used in temporary tattoos. Tyler’s family now have a nervous wait to see if the scare is permanent.

Also on the 11th of October the Sunderland Echo in the UK reported that teenager Charlotte Stidolph had to spend six days in hospital after a severe reaction to a Playboy bunny henna tattoo. Charlotte had the henna tattoo imprinted on her arm but a week later her skin began to turn red, blister and her face began to swell before she was rushed to hospital. She now has to wait and see if the scar will heal or remain with her for life.

Do you have a henna story to share?