--- title: "Turning Temporary Tattoos Into Allergy Warnings" id: "33319" type: "post" slug: "turning-temporary-tattoos-into-allergy-warnings" published_at: "2016-05-13T20:53:48+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:48:29+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/05/13/turning-temporary-tattoos-into-allergy-warnings/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/05/13/turning-temporary-tattoos-into-allergy-warnings.md" excerpt: "A Japanese restaurant association is using temporary tattoos to warn tourists about the potential dangers of soba-noodle allergies. Even if you’re allergic, at least you get a cool tattoo out of the process." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "allergy awareness" - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "cultural promotion" - "public health" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Turning Temporary Tattoos Into Allergy Warnings Who knew a tattoo could save your life? At least, it can in Japan, where life-threatening allergic reactions to the country’s popular soba noodles, which are made from buckweat, have caught some tourists, and even locals, off guard. Obviously, that’s a huge problem. Fortunately, [the 230 Soba Street Promotion Association is on top of it (opens in a new tab)](http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/05/10/check-if-you-have-a-soba-allergy-with-these-amazing-ukiyo-e-print-temporary-tattoos/) . The local restaurant group, which represents soba shops on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, has launched a clever campaign that uses temporary tattoos not only to promote local culture through cool artwork (based on the traditional ukiyoe style) but also to help determine whether people have a soba allergy. Here’s how: The tattoo is applied to the skin using soba water. The tattoo creates small cuts in the skin, exposing users to a small amount of the allergen. That allergen causes a reaction in people sensitive to soba, and parts of the tattoo turn red within about 15 minutes if a person is allergic. That may disappoint those interested in trying soba, but, at the very least, it makes the tattoos more visually appealing. “Many people are unaware they have a soba allergy, so the sticker is a good way to prevent allergic reactions,” a spokewoman for the association [told The Japan Times (opens in a new tab)](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/12/national/soba-noodle-association-develops-skin-sticker-as-fun-allergy-test/#.VzX7iBUrLvt) . If you aren’t allergic to soba or have no plans to visit Japan anytime soon, you can still enjoy the artwork. Check out these examples: An example of someone with a soba allergy wearing a temporary tattoo. (230 Soba Street Promotion Association) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#allergy awareness](https://associationsnow.com/tag/allergy-awareness/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#cultural promotion](https://associationsnow.com/tag/cultural-promotion/) [#public health](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-health/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F05%2F13%2Fturning-temporary-tattoos-into-allergy-warnings%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !