Tattooing: A Major Route Of Infections


Tattooing is a serious art form, and the world seems to be addicted to it. It is, a permanent marking -- once it's there, you can't simply wash it away. For many, it is an aesthetic choice or an initiation rite. Some women choose permanent makeup as a time saver or because they have physical difficulty applying regular, temporary makeup. For others, tattooing is an adjunct to reconstructive surgery.


According to, Dr. Dan Meler, plastic surgeon for 32 years, says: "The worst danger in tatoos is that people don't like the results and then they want to get rid of the tatoos, but there is always a scar. I think that doing a tatoo on the body because of the beauty in it, is not justified. You need to be careful because there is no way back. When people want to remove a tatoo it could turn out to be horrible. There is no way back, its not like a hair cut."


Cause of infection:
 

The alleged cause of the problem was improper sterilization of instruments and the use of contaminated pigments. Tattoo operators have little or no training and often don't know how to sanitize equipment to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis or even AIDS. Although a number of color additives are approved for use in cosmetics, none is approved for injection into the skin. Using an unapproved color additive in a tattoo ink makes the ink adulterated. Many pigments used in tattoo inks are not approved for skin contact at all. Some are industrial grade colors that are suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.
 

A tattoo is like an open wound, so you have to dress it and protect it by applying an antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin) and wearing sunscreen or covering it with a patch if you'll be in the sun. It's recommended that you wear a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 on the tattoo for the rest of your life.


Tattooing has been shown to transmit infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, syphilis, leprosy, tuberculosis, skin cancer, psoriasis, toxic shock syndrome or even behavioral changes.



  • The risk of scars from infection- Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible. Others develop thick scars called keloids. And believe it or not, the most common problem that occurs because of tattoos is regret! Many people find that they later wish they hadn't gotten a tattoo.

Removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.

  • Transmission of hepatitis B- Hepatitis B poses the greatest risk, and this virus has been transmitted through sharing of tattoo needles. See your health care provider if symptoms are present
     

  • Transmission of AIDS- Tattooing also contributes to the spread of HIV . People use hollowed out ballpoint pins and pen ink to create tattoos stand a larger risk. Getting HIV though a tattoo is uncommon, but it is always a possibility if the tattooist is not following proper infection control practices.
     

  • Transmission of tetnus- Read more on the report, at  www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/tetanus.pdf.

  • Increased risk of cancer- New inks are being introduced into the market everyday, such as the new glow-in-the-dark inks. The problem with these new inks is that, in most cases, they cause severe skin irritation and they fade quickly. Another negative point is that the long-term effects of the inks are not known yet. These inks can possibly cause skin cancer. You're also at risk of developing skin infections such as impetigo and other complications such as dermatitis (severe skin irritation). If you already have a skin condition such as eczema, you may have flare-ups as a result of the tattoo.

If you think there is a chance that you may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, testing can be done by a doctor, health clinic, or by contacting your local health department. Vaccination against Hepatitis B is also available.

  • Transmission of hepatitis C- Getting a tattoo could be a key infection route for hepatitis C, the most common chronic viral infection affecting almost 2 percent of the United States population, according to a study by a UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas researcher. The study found that people who had received a tattoo in a commercial tattoo parlor were nine times more likely to be infected with hepatitis C than people who did not have a tattoo. Hepatitis C can be passed through tattooing by reuse of tattooing needles or dye, inadequate sterilization of tattooing needles between customers, or breaks in sterile technique such as the artist pricking the back of his or her hand to test the needle's sharpness. For detail story, click here

Insist on fresh, single-use, disposable needles and fresh ink in new disposable containers, and make sure that all equipment is disinfected and sterilized with an autoclave. Be aware that cleaning with bleach or any other disinfectant doesn't always kill the hepatitis C virus.


Before going in for a tatoo, Check:

  • Is there an autoclave?

  • Is the person a licensed practitioner?

  • Are "Universal Precautions" followed?

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