A treat for a vacation went wrong
By maximax8
@maximax8 (31042)
United Kingdom
July 29, 2011 4:34am CST
A couple went on a vacation to Marrakesh in Morocco with their daughters aged 8 years old and 4 years. They were having a wonderful time there. On their final day they had henna tattoos on their legs. In my home country we use natural henna that is harmless though they used black henna which is a dangerous alternative. This black henna is banned in Europe and North America.
The two young children had a painful reaction to the additive filled substance. There skin got blistered, one was violently sick on the way home and they now risk health problems in the future. Their skin welted and burned. The substance will never leave the blood stream. They will never be able to dye their hair when they are grown up due to it giving them a dangerous reaction. They will not be able to take antibiotics when they are ill.
The parents say there wasn't anything else to buy and as it was done in a five stat hotel they thought it was safe. The hotel staff said it was indeed safe for children. What do you think of what happened? Have you ever done something then regretted it on vacation? Should vacation makers be warned?
7 responses
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
2 Aug 11
That is strange!
I have not heard of that kind of henna. I've seen those tattoo booths everytime there is some kind of festivities around here, and some friends get their art on them occassionally. I guess one could never really be too sure.
Poor kids! Vacationers should have been warned.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
2 Aug 11
I heard about this and it is a horrbile accident. I t is like when I was a child on holiday, I got hair briads and henna tattoos and I was fine as you are on holiday and parents want to let their children have a treat that they think is harmless. It could have easily been myself who had an allergic reaction and so I guess the parents will also feel responsible for letting them even though like you say when staying in a 5* hotel you would kind of expect standards to be high and probably not even think of something like that happening!
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Wow....that's way too bad! I think they should have had a more concerning warning. But as a parent I would have never had my kids get a tatoo anytime....until they are grown! Every person is different though and another warning might not have made the difference as it was a reaction....
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
I guess the best lesson to learn here is that sh!t happens. We don't really know what could happen. Something could seem so predictable and, the next moment, everything could change in an instant. We should expect the unexpected in order for us to be truly safe from mishaps such as this one.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Shouldn't they be able to sue the hotel? Unless the hotel staff really were unaware of the health risks, which I doubt.
I love henna. But I am aware of black henna. I feel bad for the family and especially for the girls who now have bad health. 
@princess8881 (1294)
• South Korea
29 Jul 11
I feel sorry for the children thats awful.. anyway I think nobody should be blame in this situation.. its just that black henna are banned in that place why did they still let their children have it... (I have a lot of friends who have had henna tatto, but theres no problem at all maybe it was too strong there or i DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS MADE of)
To the hotel, staff will tell of course to costumers that it is safe and blahblah... if it is really a big trouble for those children.. I think they can actually sue that hotel..
