Severe allergic hair dye reactions in 8 children

Contact Dermatitis. 2006 Feb;54(2):87-91.

Severe allergic hair dye reactions in 8 children.

Sosted H, Johansen JD, Andersen KE, Menne T.

National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Helleup, Denmark. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Serious adverse skin reactions to permanent hair dyes and temporary black tattoos have been reported. As temporary tattoos have become fashionable among adolescents, the risk profile for p-phenylenediamine (PPD) sensitization of the population has changed simultaneously with an increasing use of hair dyes in this age group. This investigation reports PPD sensitization in children with regard to cause of sensitization, clinical presentation and consequences. Clinical history and patch test results for consecutive children below 16 years of age with suspected hair dye allergic reactions and positive patch tests to PPD were collected over 2 years in 2 Danish dermatology clinics. 8 children aged 12-15 years were collected, and they all reacted to several hair dye ingredients. 5 of the patients were hospitalized, 1 in the intensive care unit. 6 of the patients gave a history of prior reaction to temporary black tattoos. These children showed simultaneous positive patch reactions to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine and local anaesthetics, while such reaction patterns were not seen in children with hair dye reactions only. The clinical consequences of these reactions are unknown. A re-evaluation of the risk assessment/risk management for hair dyes is required.

Publication Types:
Multicenter Study

PMID: 16487280 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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