Tattoo allergy
Autoimmune skin diseases in tattoo
Autoimmune diseases are disorders of the immune system. Under normal circumstances, the immune system protects the body against infections such as bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system does not function properly and also attacks the body’s own healthy cells.
There are many autoimmune diseases that can affect the skin, including:
- psoriasis
- lichen planus
- vitiligo
- lupus erythematosus
- lichen sclerosus, and others.
Cause
It is well known that autoimmune skin diseases can manifest specifically within a tattoo. This is thought to be caused by the tattooing process itself, as it may lead to a local flare-up of the condition. This triggering effect is known as the Koebner phenomenon. Remarkably, this reaction can sometimes occur long after the tattoo was placed, possibly due to immune memory cells that remain in the skin and can reactivate inflammation at a later stage.
The stimulus of tattooing activates the immune system, causing the autoimmune disease to appear at that specific site. Not only tattooing can cause this trigger; other forms of skin trauma, such as a fall or surgery, may also activate the immune system.
In some cases, skin changes within a tattoo may be the first sign of the auto-immune skin disease, making it sometimes difficult to diagnose. Some autoimmune skin disease can also manifest in other organs. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of these conditions is essential.
Treatment
In autoimmune diseases, treatment depends on several factors, including the specific skin condition, the location and extent of the affected skin, and the severity of the patient’s symptoms. Mild and localized disease is often treated with topical medications, such as corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. More extensive, persistent, or symptomatic cases may require systemic therapy, including oral medication or injections. The treatment plan is always tailored to the individual situation.
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