Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Serup, Jørgen
• Hutton Carlsen, Katrina
• Dommershausen, Nils
• Sepehri, Mitra
• Hesse, Bernhard
• Seim, Christian
• Luch, Andreas
• Schreiver, Ines

Titel

Identification of pigments related to allergic tattoo reactions in 104 human skin biopsies

Ist Teil von

• Contact dermatitis, 2020-02, Vol.82 (2), p.73-82

Ort / Verlag

Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2020

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Wiley Online Library Journals Frontfile Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Background Red tattoos are prone to allergic reactions. The identity of the allergen(s) is mostly unknown. Objectives Chemical analysis of human skin biopsies from chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos to identify culprit pigment(s) and metals. Material and methods One hundred four dermatome biopsies were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS/MS) for identification of commonly used organic pigments. Metal concentrations were assessed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)‐MS and x‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Fourteen patients had cross‐reactions in other red tattoos. Results In total, the identified pigments were mainly azo Pigment Red (P.R.) 22 (35%), P.R. 210 (24%), P.R. 170 (12%), P.R. 5 (0.9%), P.R. 112 (0.9%), and Pigment Orange (P.O.) 13 (11%). P.R. 122 (0.9%) and Pigment Violet (P.V.) 23 (8%) were also common. P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 also dominated in patients with cross‐reactions. In 22% of the biopsies, no red pigment was detected. Element analysis indicated the presence of the sensitizers nickel and chromium. Conclusions P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 were identified as the prevailing pigments behind chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos. The epitope causing the reaction might be a pigment‐degradation product. Metal contamination may derive from different sources, and its role in red tattoo allergy cannot be ascertained. First study on chemical analysis of human skin biopsies from chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos to identify culprit pigment(s) and metals. Pigment Red (P.R.) 22, P.R.170, and P.R.210 were the prevailing pigments behind chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos. The epitope causing the reaction might be a pigment‐degradation product. Metal contamination is very common in any tattoo ink stock product, and its role in red tattoo allergy appears dubious.