Tattoos and Piercings
Body Piercings and Tattoos: Health Risks
A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin’s top layer. During the procedure, a needle that’s connected to a small machine with tubes containing dye pierces the skin repeatedly (Mayo Clinic Staff). Tattoos are considered cosmetic and that is why tattoos are not regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration but local health departments. Even though tattoos and body piercing parlors are regulated by local health departments, there are risks involved due to unsanitary conditions that can cause disease. These risks are relatively uncommon even though tattoos and body piercing are very popular.
Tattooing has been around for years and there are several reasons why people decide to get tattoos. Some people decide to get a tattoo that might reflect a loved ones name. They may want to pay tribute to a lost loved one or just might want to display their children’s names. Other people decide to get tattoos because they are a part of a gang and want to display their gang affiliation. Another reason could be to display religious beliefs, for example displaying Jesus or a Cross. Even though there are reasons people decide to get tattoos there are still risks involved. The next risk would be allergic reactions. Sometimes there are bumps that may appear around the tattooed area called Granulomas. These are especially common if you have used red dye in the tattoo. The Granulomas typically appear around an area of the body that perceives, such as particles of skin pigment. People may even have an allergic reaction years after receiving the tattoo. The last risk associated with tattooing and body piercing is infection. You can get Staphylococcus Aurcus “Staph” bacteria infection. Tattoos that are received at facilities that are not regulated by the local health department will also prevent you from being a blood or plasma donor for up to twelve months because of the
A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin’s top layer. During the procedure, a needle that’s connected to a small machine with tubes containing dye pierces the skin repeatedly (Mayo Clinic Staff). Tattoos are considered cosmetic and that is why tattoos are not regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration but local health departments. Even though tattoos and body piercing parlors are regulated by local health departments, there are risks involved due to unsanitary conditions that can cause disease. These risks are relatively uncommon even though tattoos and body piercing are very popular.
Tattooing has been around for years and there are several reasons why people decide to get tattoos. Some people decide to get a tattoo that might reflect a loved ones name. They may want to pay tribute to a lost loved one or just might want to display their children’s names. Other people decide to get tattoos because they are a part of a gang and want to display their gang affiliation. Another reason could be to display religious beliefs, for example displaying Jesus or a Cross. Even though there are reasons people decide to get tattoos there are still risks involved. The next risk would be allergic reactions. Sometimes there are bumps that may appear around the tattooed area called Granulomas. These are especially common if you have used red dye in the tattoo. The Granulomas typically appear around an area of the body that perceives, such as particles of skin pigment. People may even have an allergic reaction years after receiving the tattoo. The last risk associated with tattooing and body piercing is infection. You can get Staphylococcus Aurcus “Staph” bacteria infection. Tattoos that are received at facilities that are not regulated by the local health department will also prevent you from being a blood or plasma donor for up to twelve months because of the
Cited: Mayo Clinic. (2008). Tattoos: Risks and precautions to know first. Retrieved May 10, 2008, from http://mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020