Ilkeston girl scarred for life by tattoo
An Ilkeston youngster has been left permanently scarred after an allergic reaction to a henna tattoo.
Chloe Nicholson, nine, was on holiday in Zante, Greece with parents Rachel and Adam when she persuaded her parents to let her have the large tribal style tattoo on her upper arm.
Within 24 hours of getting the ink based design, which is supposed to last 14 days, Chloe's arm had started to blister. When the family returned home to Repton Drive they immediately sought medical attention.
Rachel, 29, said: "It blistered within 24 hours and once the blisters popped the ink began to scab off. It got redder and hotter and our doctor referred us to the burns unit at Nottingham City Hospital."
Specialists have said there is no guarantee that the infection won't scar and Chloe, who has had to take time off from Chaucer Junior School, is on antibiotics to clear the infection. She will have to go back to the hospital for regular check-ups.
Rachel believes the tattoo was done using a chemical that is normally used in hair dye. Natural henna tattoos are always brown and only rarely cause an allergic reaction, while black tattoos, often available abroad contain chemicals that can trigger fierce reactions.
There have been a number of other cases involving children having reactions to henna tattoos while on holiday abroad with their family.
Rachel said: "I'm disgusted. My advice would be just don't have them."
Doctors have said they may be able to treat the wound in a few months when it has healed.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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