As a pathologist who sees tattoo ink in lymph nodes routinely (along with other pigments), it's slightly shocking to me that this got reported as a finding.
There is, however, an interesting suggestion of correlation between certain red pigments, particularly from tattoos made in Asia it seems, that stimulate the immune system to mount a severe epidermolytic reaction. And it can be a delayed reaction. We had one where the dermatologists brought in pictures. It looked like the entire tattoo was being cut out with a cookie cutter, just totally separated from the surrounding skin. Horrible.
There is, however, an interesting suggestion of correlation between certain red pigments, particularly from tattoos made in Asia it seems, that stimulate the immune system to mount a severe epidermolytic reaction. And it can be a delayed reaction. We had one where the dermatologists brought in pictures. It looked like the entire tattoo was being cut out with a cookie cutter, just totally separated from the surrounding skin. Horrible.