Tattoos: Think Before You Ink

There was a time when tattoos were commonly associated with crime gangs and ex-convicts. It was usually a ‘mark’ given by a fellow inmate and was considered of a rite of passage for those in prison. Society back then shunned and stayed clear of people with tattoos and often considered them a threat to society.

But today, times have changed. Some tattoos are now considered a form of art, even a fashion statement. But there are several reasons why people get a tattoo. Some got one for romantic reasons, while some do so to earmark an important event in their life.  Others sport a tattoo simply because it makes them look and feel ‘cool’ and intimidating.

But for whatever reason, you should consider all the possible health risks before you get a tattoo. Because there is blood, needles and ink involved, of course there could be risks — serious ones.

So think before you ink. The health risks associated with getting a tattoo are real. Tattoos involve piercing the skin, marking it with pigments repeatedly with needles, and inserting ink droplets with each puncture. Besides the bleeding, this may result in infections and other complications.

 

Possible Health Risks

For some, swelling, peeling, blistering of the skin with pus may immediately follow tattoo placement. This would require the medical attention of a doctor.  More serious is the possible transmission of bloodborne infections if the area was unsanitary or if the equipment used had been contaminated, not having been replaced or cleaned properly.  Serious infections and deadly diseases may be contracted through unsterilized needles or when contaminated blood comes into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth. The possible infections may include:

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, can cause seizures and severe breathing difficulties or heart abnormalities from the onset of muscle stiffness usually starting from the jaw.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection, primarily a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to destruction of soft tissue and bone, heart failure and blindness, if left untreated.

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus targets the immune system, causing fever, diarrhea, cough, weight loss and swollen lymph nodes. HIV may develop into tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis (brain and spinal infection) and lymphomas (blood cancer). To date, there is no known cure for HIV.

Hepatitis viral infection is a life-threatening liver infection that can cause chronic liver disease and liver cancer. A preventive measure for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a vaccination. There is currently no preventive vaccination for Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Besides the possible infections a person may get from a contaminated or unsterilized needle, there are also health risks that can result from a reaction to the ink or ink pigments or infection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States is particularly concerned about infections caused by a family of bacteria called Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) that has been found in recent outbreaks of illnesses linked to contaminated tattoo inks. M. chelonae, one of several disease-causing NTM species, can cause infections of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs, as well as eye problems. These infections can be difficult to diagnose and can require treatment lasting six months or more.

According to U.S. FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network, contaminated inks have caused serious infections in at least four states in late 2011 and early 2012. Efforts have been made by the FDA to reach out to tattoo artists, ink and pigment manufacturers, public health officials, health care professionals, and consumers to warn them of the potential for infection. The FDA cautions that tattoo inks can become contaminated by NTM and several other types of bacteria, mold and fungi.

So with all of this in mind, seriously consider the possible health risks and other complications before you go in for that ‘cool’ tattoo. Ask yourself: Is it worth the risk?

 

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References:

New York State Department of Health. “Syphilis.” Syphilis. http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/syphilis/fact_sheet.htm (accessed December 6, 2013).

World Health Organization. “HIV/AIDS.” WHO. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/index.html (accessed December 4, 2013).

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm316357.htm