A mother from Sydney, Kerrie-Anne Graf, has issued a cautionary tale following her son’s severe reaction to a henna tattoo they received during a family holiday in Bali, Indonesia. Last month, while enjoying their time at Kuta Beach, Graf and her 13-year-old son impulsively decided to get traditional brown henna tattoos, which initially went well and made her son happy.
However, when they later visited Seminyak Beach, her son opted for a black henna tattoo from local vendors. While the tattoo appeared fine initially, he soon experienced intense itching and swelling, which worsened over two days. Graf became increasingly concerned as the rash spread up his arm and prompted a visit to the GP after the school sent him home due to the severity of the condition. Despite being prescribed antibiotics, his condition did not improve, leading to a need for stronger medication and steroid treatments.
Graf revealed that she spent over AUD 140 on various medications while trying to alleviate her son’s suffering. Distressed and seeking to inform others, she took to a popular Bali travel Facebook group where she learned that many Australians had faced similar experiences with henna tattoos in Bali. This prompted her to warn families travelling to the area about the potential dangers of henna tattoos, particularly those that are black, which are often made from hair dye containing paraphenylenediamine (PPD)—a chemical known to cause allergic reactions in a significant number of individuals.
A previous investigation by 9News had highlighted the risks associated with “black henna” tattoos in Bali, revealing that some tourists were left with permanent scars due to severe reactions. Graf expressed her concern that her son may also suffer lasting damage and is currently hesitant to use topical treatments for fear of worsening the rash. As they consider consulting a dermatologist, she hopes her son’s ordeal will raise awareness and lead to greater caution among future visitors to Bali.
In Graf’s words, her primary aim in sharing this story is to prevent others from experiencing similar distressing situations during their travels.