A Case of Traumatic Tattoo by Colored Pencil Rapidly Spreading beyond the Injured Area
- Author:
Taeyeong KIM
1
;
Dongyoung ROH
;
Kihyuk SHIN
;
Hoon-Soo KIM
;
Hyun-Chang KO
;
Byungsoo KIM
;
Moon-Bum KIM
;
Jungsoo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2025;63(2):40-44
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Traumatic tattoos are abnormal pigmentations caused by embedded foreign particles due to various injuries, including explosions, abrasions, or traffic accidents. Traumatic tattoos caused by pencils are common and considered trivial because they are usually confined to the injured site without any complications. A 4-year-old girl presented with a 5-month history of a grey-to-bluish patch on her left cheek. Histopathological examination revealed many pigment granules surrounding the blood vessels and appendages diffused from the mid to the lower dermis. Various staining methods were employed to verify that colorants caused the tattoo. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of traumatic tattoos caused by colored pencils that spread rapidly beyond the injured areas. In particular, various unexpected traumas can occur frequently in children; therefore, an accurate diagnosis is essential by differentiating it from other acquired pigmentary disorders
