Kerrie-Anne Graf's son had a severe reaction to a 'black henna' tattoo in Bali.
Share this @internewscast.com

A Sydney mother has shared a warning after her son had a scary reaction to a henna tattoo while on a family holiday in Indonesia.

Kerrie-Anne Graf shared with 9news.com.au that she and her 13-year-old son, while visiting Kuta Beach on Bali’s southwest coast last month, spontaneously decided to get a henna tattoo.

The henna tattoos worked out great and were a big hit with her son, Graf said.

Kerrie-Anne Graf's son had a severe reaction to a 'black henna' tattoo in Bali.
Kerrie-Anne Graf’s son had a severe reaction to a black henna tattoo in Bali. (Supplied: Kerrie-Anne Graf)

However, a few days later, the pattern had started to fade. 

Later, as the family relaxed at Seminyak Beach, some locals offered henna tattoos for $10. Her son requested to have the tattoo on his arm refreshed, Graf explained.

“These guys just walk up and down the beach and they’ve got their book with dragons.

“You’re there with your kids and they’re saying, ‘Mum, I want a tattoo’.”

Unlike the first henna tattoo she and her son got, which was a traditional brown colour, the second tattoo on her son’s leg was black, Graf said.

“He got it done the day before we left Bali and it seemed fine,” she said.

“Then he started itching at it and, maybe two days later, it just blew up.”

Graf said her son’s arm became extremely swollen and developed a rash.

“At first, I just thought maybe it was nothing serious. But then the rash started to spread up his arm,” she said.

When her son was sent home from school because his arm was weeping, Graf took him to the GP, who prescribed antibiotics.

“They did nothing, so we went back and he got a double dose of really strong antibiotics,” she said.

Kerrie-Anne Graf's son got the tattoo at Seminyak beach in Bali.
Kerrie-Anne Graf’s son got the tattoo at Seminyak Beach in Bali. (iStock)

In addition, Graf said her son needed to take steroid medication, antihistamines and apply cream to his arm.

“I’ve spent over $140 on medication,” she said.

Graf said she wanted to warn other families travelling to Bali about the risk of henna tattoos.

Graf took to a popular Bali travel Facebook page to share her story, where she received an outpouring of feedback from fellow Australians who had also experienced adverse reactions to henna tattoos in Bali.

A 2019 investigation by 9News examined the dangers of “black henna” tattoos offered in Bali and found they were leaving some Australian tourists with permanent scars.

At the time, 9News found the “black henna” used by some operators in Kuta was made from hair dye containing paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical that as many as one in five people are allergic to when it’s applied to their skin.

Graf said she believed it was this black hair dye that was applied to her son’s skin.

“It shocked me because I had never heard of that happening.”

The mum said she was still very worried her son could be left with permanent scars.

“I can’t put anything on it yet, like Bio Oil, because I think it will just irritate it more.

“So I’m just going to wait, and we’re probably going have to see a dermatologist.”

Graf she said hoped sharing her son’s experience would make other tourists think twice.

“I wanted to say something because I don’t want this to happen to any other kid,” she said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers during an address at the National Press Club on 18 June, 2025.

Private Recommendations Urge Government to Increase Taxes

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has attempted to downplay Treasury advice suggesting the government…
Kalyn Ponga could be set to leave the Newcastle Knights at the end of the 2025 NRL season

Stunning Update on Kalyn Ponga’s Rugby League Career

Kalyn Ponga is reportedly contemplating a move away from the Newcastle Knights…

Gisele Pelicot Receives France’s Prestigious National Award

Key Points Gisèle Pelicot named a knight on France’s Legion of Honour…

Sarah Gigante of Australia Returns Triumphantly to Giro d’Italia After Surgery

Sarah Gigante has completed her dazzling maiden Giro d’Italia by finishing third…
Dead birds found in Springvale, Melbourne

A Large Number of Bird Carcasses Discovered Near Melbourne Mall

The RSCPA is conducting an investigation into an alleged mass bird poisoning…
A Chinese pipeline worth $120 billion at stake in crucial talks

Crucial Negotiations Put $120 Billion Chinese Pipeline Investment on the Line

Australia’s iron ore exports to China are a focal point today as…

Commemorating 30 Years Since the Srebrenica Genocide

Rukija Avdić cries as she recalls the night 30 years ago when…
'Stupid and reckless': Killer struck elderly man then left him to die at roadside

Negligent Actions: Killer Hit Elderly Man and Abandoned Him at Roadside

A killer could be out of jail within two years after admitting…
Bus driver allegedly stabbed in Caloundra

Urgent Appeal for Action Following Passenger’s Stabbing of Bus Driver in the Throat

Warning: This story contains graphic content. A bus driver is recovering from…

Tim Merlier Secures Another Stage Victory in Tour de France; Mathieu van der Poel’s Attempts Thwarted

Tim Merlier clinched victory in stage nine of the Tour de France…
German backpacker Carolina Wilga in hospital.

Saved German Traveler Explains Her Decision to Leave Car in Western Australia Wilderness

Carolina Wilga, the German backpacker who endured 12 days lost in the…

Census Trial to Include Questions on Sexuality and Gender

The first Census questions on sexual orientation and gender will be sent…