Henna tattoo

[jo140870]

My 10 year old son recently had a henna tattoo by a street vendor in Majorca, just a few days later, it has ecome read, dry and a little tender. It looks rather raised and angry. Should I put anything on it or leave it?

[xx cutie xx]

if i were you, i'd take him to be checked out by a doctor as soon as you can because i've recently read a magazine article about henna tattoos and the reaction can get worse and cause allergies to other substances. apparently the henna can cause eczema which is an allergic reaction to a substance found in some henna tattoos. the outcome isn't good if left to get worse, don't mean to scare, just it's best to be safe rather than sorry. hope it's ok and gets sorted. good luck

[Mistopheles]

I read the same article cutie! It's probably not that serious, but as cutie says, better safe than sorry.

[Hermia]

Was it real henna or the black stuff? Reactions to natural henna (which takes age to dry and produces an orange stain) aren't common, but reactions to black henna (which produces a darker stain) are more common because a chemical has been added. You should definitely see a doctor to get a professional opinion.

[MrsM]

Get it seen by a doctor.  There was a lot on the TV about street vendors using hair dye (instead of henna) at one time and children being left badly burnt by the dye. 

[smallwren]

I have had lots and lots of henna tatoos over the past few years with many different reactions. Real Henna should go on quite thick and then peel off afterwards with a charcol type smell and texture. Several things can affect a Henna tatoo - did your little boy get in a swimming pool less than 8 hours after he had it done as the Cholrine can have a nasty effect causing a rash and it to become raised. I would take him to the doctor when you get a chance but in the meantime Sudacream can sooth it can keep it protected - try and keep him out of the sun as well as this can make it worse