PARENTS in Worcestershire are being warned to resist the temptation of treating their children to a temporary tattoo while on holiday.

The British Skin Foundation says the majority of black henna temporary tattoos (BHTT) are not based on henna at all but on a substance called para-phenylenediamine (PPD) which is found in hair dyes.

PPD is allowed for use in hair dye, but its use for skin contact products such as temporary tattoos is illegal in the European Union.

The foundation says when PPD is used in tattoos it can cause blistering, painful skin burns and may even lead to scarring. It can also leave the person with a lifelong sensitivity to PPD, which increases the risk of a severe allergic reaction when using hair dye in the future.

The charity conducted a survey which found

• Four out of 10 dermatologists asked had seen patients with skin reactions to BHTTs

• One in 20 dermatologists approached said that over 80 per cent of the BHTT reactions they had seen were in children aged under 16

• The dermatologists asked confirmed that around half of the patients got a BHTT outside of the EU, where the legal status of PPD is not always clear. However the other half got a BHTT within the EU, with 27 per cent of these in the UK.

• About two thirds of dermatologists approached have seen an increase in patients with reactions to hair dyes, many of whom have previously had a BHTT.

Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist and British Skin Foundation Spokesperson reinforced the findings saying: “Black henna is well known to cause skin reactions and should be treated with caution, particularly in children.”

The decision to issue this warning is backed by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA).

Dr Christopher Flower, director general of CTPA, said: “The message is clear - having a black henna temporary tattoo presents a significant risk of a very nasty adverse reaction to the tattoo itself.

“It also increases the risk of either not being able to use most hair dyes in the future or having a bad reaction to them if the warnings are ignored. This summer, parents will want to keep their children safe, by steering clear of so-called black henna temporary tattoos.”

The black henna temporary tattoos may be offered at funfairs and festivals and parents are warning to make sure they don’t allow their children to try them.

• The British Skin Foundation survey was undertaken at the British Association of Dermatologists’ Annual Meeting between July 6 and 9 2015 in Manchester and 244 delegates completed the survey.