When Body Art Goes Awry-Severe Systemic Allergic Reaction to Red Ink Tattoo Requiring Surgical Treatment.

The aim of this report is to present a case of a patient who developed unusual systemic hypersensitivity reaction to a red-pigmented tattoo and to discuss diagnostic difficulties in case of systemic reactions to tattoo ink. The patient reported erythroderma on his arms and chest accompanied by plaque elevation of red parts of his most recently performed forearm tattoo as his primary symptoms. His health condition entailed a prolonged topical and intravenous immunosuppressive therapy, which proved ineffective. Over a year after emergence of initial symptoms, he presented to the Plastic Surgery Clinic with generalized erythroderma, systemic lymphadenopathy, elevation and granuloma formation in red tattoos on his forearm and complaints of fatigue and inability to participate fully in work-related and social activities. The patient underwent six staged excisions with direct closures, flap plasties and full-thickness skin grafts. Following completion of each surgical resection, the patient's symptoms gradually subsided. We find this case illustrative of a clinical challenge that delayed hypersensitivity reactions to red tattoos may pose. Furthermore, we provide insights on management of hypersensitivity reactions. This report underlines the importance of social awareness of and public health approach to tattoo complications as key to successful prevention, identification and treatment of adverse reactions to tattoos.

Modified body - symbol of risk or resources? / Modyfikacje ciala ­ symbol ryzyka czy zasobów?

OBJECTIVES: Tattooing and body piercing are becoming more and more popular. The psychological approach to body modifications remains heterogeneous. The purpose of this replication was to assess the level of life satisfaction and self-esteem, as well as to reveal subjectively experienced symptoms of mental health disorders in people who reported having a tattoo and/or piercing during the coronavirus epidemic. METHODS: Method. The research was conducted in the period from April to June 2020 in an on-line form. Participants (N = 557) were 15-68 years old. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in perceived life satisfaction, self-esteem and mental health assessment between people with and without body modifications. The revealed differences in the dimensions of self-esteem and the number of subjective depressive symptoms turned out to be accidental. CONCLUSIONS: All participants in the study (regardless of having body modification) were aware of having and the ability to use personal resources to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Body modifications should not be considered a risk factor. Especially among tattooed people, the self-assessment of psychological functioning increased with the increase in life satisfaction.