Of the many tattoo reactions the most common are allergic, granulomatous, lichenoid, photosensitive, pseudolymphomatous, and infectious. Eruptive milia are a rare complication with only three prior reports in the English literature. A 19-year-old African American female presented with tiny, white papules confined within the margins of a tattoo. She denied trauma or associated symptoms at the site. Biopsy demonstrated deposits of black granular material within the dermis and a small infundibular cyst; a diagnosis of eruptive milia within tattoo was made. The milia responded to treatment with urea 40% cream and tretinoin 0.1% cream. Given its rarity, it is important to recognize the presentation of this disorder as other tattoo reactions require more aggressive management. While further research is necessary to determine the exact pathogenesis of this condition, the authors propose a mechanism along with a review of the literature to discuss management.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(6)621-624.
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