Numerous reactions occur in tattoos. These include persistent inflammatory changes caused by mercurial sensitivity, usually of the delayed type as proven by positive patch tests to aqueous mercuric chloride and ammoniated mercury.1,2 Less commonly encountered is widespread dermatitis.3,4 Infectious diseases which occurred frequently before the appreciation of aseptic techniques, were syphilis, tuberculosis, tetanus, erysipelas, and chancroid.5 Sarcoid and lupus erythematosus have been reported in tattoos.6
A case was seen in which the clinical picture resembled blastomycosis of the skin.
Report of a Case
A 23-year-old white, single, unemployed man appeared at the Dermatology Clinic of the Cambridge City Hospital complaining of oozing, verrucous swellings in the red areas of a tattoo of one and one-half years' duration.Three months after tattooing, elevated, punctate, oozing areas developed in the roses tattooed in his right forearm. No disease affected a group of young men simultaneously tattooed.After unsuccessful