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How to Protect Yourself When Getting a Tattoo

Hell's Angels, punk rockers and old soldiers; your sister, mother, possibly even your grandmother: tattoos can be found on a variety of people from all cultures, ages and walks of life. From a small heart just above the ankle to artwork covering the whole body, tattoos come in all colors, shapes and sizes. From a spur of the moment thing to a planned piece of artwork, tattoos represent who we are, what we like or want to remember, can identify us with a particular group or culture, or denote a rite of passage. Tattoos can also serve as a point of transmission for disease and infection. Choosing the design you want is just the first step in getting a tattoo, but there are also health and safety issues to consider.

Disease and Infection

When receiving a tattoo, the skin is penetrated hundreds of thousands of times by needles covered with ink. Just like receiving a shot, the recipient is likely to bleed or release other fluids such as plasma or puss from the site of the puncture. The release of these fluids creates a vulnerability to contract or pass along certain disease or infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2006) reported, "Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") bacteria," (5).

"Staph" infections can manifest initially as skin irritation or rash and rapidly progress to a boil. "Staph" infections can also move from the initially infected area and cause additional complications to other organs in the body where more serious infections could occur (Stppler, 2007). If any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor immediately.

Less obvious are the threats of Hepatitis and HIV. Most commonly, Hepatitis B or C, along with the HIV virus are not immediately detectable. Unless tested, the infected party may live with the disease for years until it is first detected. Hepatitis affects the liver and can cause severe liver damage leading to death if left untreated. Flu-like symptoms can occur including headache and loss of appetite (Wikipedia, 2008a). HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks cells in the immune system, breaking down the body's resistance to infection. If left unchecked, HIV can turn into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Current treatments can increase life expectancy and retard the progression of HIV into full blown AIDS (Wikipedia, 2008b).

Allergic reaction can

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