According to HealthDay News, the study involved an investigation into skin lesions that were found in two people from Seattle who developed rashes after receiving tattoos from the same parlor. Despite the fact that both people had normal immune systems, they were found to be suffering from a bacterial infection known as M. haemophilum which normally occurs in people with compromised immune systems.
After researching the cases, the CDC determined that the patrons were exposed through the use of tap water during rinsing and diluting of inks. Water is considered to be a source of M. haemophilum.
"It is important to remember that tattooing is not a sterile procedure and infections can occur after tattoo receipt," said Dr. Meagan K. Kay, lead author of the study. "Measures should be taken by tattoo artists to prevent infections, including proper training, use of sterile equipment, and maintaining a clean facility. Use of tap water during any part of the tattoo procedure should be avoided."
The authors point out that tattooing is not considered a sterile procedure, is not regulated at the federal level and can be risky. While the inks and colorings (pigments) commonly used to apply tattoos are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the rules usually apply only when cosmetics or color additives are involved.
"Those who suspect an infection in their tattoo should consult with their doctors," Kay advised. "Common infections can present as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pain and discharge."
Myrna L. Armstrong, professor emeritus at the school of nursing at Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, said the investigation serves to highlight the general risks of getting a tattoo.
"This is an invasive procedure. And there's basically no regulation in force. Or very sporadic regulation. So as someone who's been looking into tattoos and body piercing for more than 20 years, I would say that it's really not very surprising that this can happen," Armstrong said.
"So while I'm not being negative to the industry, I do think that the customer does need to be aware of the situation he or she is getting into," she added. "Shop around, review people's techniques, and make sure [you] really want to have this done."
Some common sense recommendations for those who want to get a tattoo include:
• Get a tetanus shot before tattooing if you have not had one in the past 10 years.
• Choose an experienced person who uses sterile gloves and sterilized equipment to do the tattoo. Don't be afraid to ask the person how he or she cleans the equipment used during tattooing.
• How clean does the parlor look? Chances are, if the floor and waiting areas are dirty, the equipment is dirty too.
• For those who may want the option of removing a tattoo later, colors such as dark blue, black, and red are the easiest to remove with lasers. Bright colors—blue, green, and yellow—are hard, if not impossible, to remove.
Visit this website for more information about how to avoid infections after tattooing,
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
Tattoos are Risky, says New CDC Study
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control analyzed chronic skin infections that erupt after tattooing and found that they can be caused by the use of tap water during rinsing and diluting of inks, raising concerns about the health risks involved in this largely unregulated procedure.
According to HealthDay News, the study involved an investigation into skin lesions that were found in two people from Seattle who developed rashes after receiving tattoos from the same parlor. Despite the fact that both people had normal immune systems, they were found to be suffering from a bacterial infection known as M. haemophilum which normally occurs in people with compromised immune systems.
After researching the cases, the CDC determined that the patrons were exposed through the use of tap water during rinsing and diluting of inks. Water is considered to be a source of M. haemophilum.
"It is important to remember that tattooing is not a sterile procedure and infections can occur after tattoo receipt," said Dr. Meagan K. Kay, lead author of the study. "Measures should be taken by tattoo artists to prevent infections, including proper training, use of sterile equipment, and maintaining a clean facility. Use of tap water during any part of the tattoo procedure should be avoided."
The authors point out that tattooing is not considered a sterile procedure, is not regulated at the federal level and can be risky. While the inks and colorings (pigments) commonly used to apply tattoos are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the rules usually apply only when cosmetics or color additives are involved.
"Those who suspect an infection in their tattoo should consult with their doctors," Kay advised. "Common infections can present as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pain and discharge."
Myrna L. Armstrong, professor emeritus at the school of nursing at Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, said the investigation serves to highlight the general risks of getting a tattoo.
"This is an invasive procedure. And there's basically no regulation in force. Or very sporadic regulation. So as someone who's been looking into tattoos and body piercing for more than 20 years, I would say that it's really not very surprising that this can happen," Armstrong said.
"So while I'm not being negative to the industry, I do think that the customer does need to be aware of the situation he or she is getting into," she added. "Shop around, review people's techniques, and make sure [you] really want to have this done."
Some common sense recommendations for those who want to get a tattoo include:
• Get a tetanus shot before tattooing if you have not had one in the past 10 years.
• Choose an experienced person who uses sterile gloves and sterilized equipment to do the tattoo. Don't be afraid to ask the person how he or she cleans the equipment used during tattooing.
• How clean does the parlor look? Chances are, if the floor and waiting areas are dirty, the equipment is dirty too.
• For those who may want the option of removing a tattoo later, colors such as dark blue, black, and red are the easiest to remove with lasers. Bright colors—blue, green, and yellow—are hard, if not impossible, to remove.
Visit this website for more information about how to avoid infections after tattooing,
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
According to HealthDay News, the study involved an investigation into skin lesions that were found in two people from Seattle who developed rashes after receiving tattoos from the same parlor. Despite the fact that both people had normal immune systems, they were found to be suffering from a bacterial infection known as M. haemophilum which normally occurs in people with compromised immune systems.
After researching the cases, the CDC determined that the patrons were exposed through the use of tap water during rinsing and diluting of inks. Water is considered to be a source of M. haemophilum.
"It is important to remember that tattooing is not a sterile procedure and infections can occur after tattoo receipt," said Dr. Meagan K. Kay, lead author of the study. "Measures should be taken by tattoo artists to prevent infections, including proper training, use of sterile equipment, and maintaining a clean facility. Use of tap water during any part of the tattoo procedure should be avoided."
The authors point out that tattooing is not considered a sterile procedure, is not regulated at the federal level and can be risky. While the inks and colorings (pigments) commonly used to apply tattoos are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the rules usually apply only when cosmetics or color additives are involved.
"Those who suspect an infection in their tattoo should consult with their doctors," Kay advised. "Common infections can present as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pain and discharge."
Myrna L. Armstrong, professor emeritus at the school of nursing at Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, said the investigation serves to highlight the general risks of getting a tattoo.
"This is an invasive procedure. And there's basically no regulation in force. Or very sporadic regulation. So as someone who's been looking into tattoos and body piercing for more than 20 years, I would say that it's really not very surprising that this can happen," Armstrong said.
"So while I'm not being negative to the industry, I do think that the customer does need to be aware of the situation he or she is getting into," she added. "Shop around, review people's techniques, and make sure [you] really want to have this done."
Some common sense recommendations for those who want to get a tattoo include:
• Get a tetanus shot before tattooing if you have not had one in the past 10 years.
• Choose an experienced person who uses sterile gloves and sterilized equipment to do the tattoo. Don't be afraid to ask the person how he or she cleans the equipment used during tattooing.
• How clean does the parlor look? Chances are, if the floor and waiting areas are dirty, the equipment is dirty too.
• For those who may want the option of removing a tattoo later, colors such as dark blue, black, and red are the easiest to remove with lasers. Bright colors—blue, green, and yellow—are hard, if not impossible, to remove.
Visit this website for more information about how to avoid infections after tattooing,
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
