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Is Tattooing Safe While Suffering From Ectopic Heartbeats?
Question: Hi doctor I have a question regarding my heart. I am scheduled to get a tatoo tomorrow. I have occasional etopic beats but a structurally normal heart. The arson I getting a tatoo is that it is in memory of a family member of mine. Does getting this done affect my heart? The tatoo artist says it is fine however I wanted to consult you
Brief Answer:
Tattoos are generally safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that tattoos are generally safe, they do not affect your heart, especially in structurally normal hearts.
There are some key points to consider when programing to have a tattoo.
(1) The most common health risk associated with tattooing is localized skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (with some cases of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection arises from the procedure itself, which requires piercing the skin.
Tattooing can also cause systemic infections such as staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, pseudomonal abscesses, and infective endocarditis, tetanus, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C; there exists also the potential for HIV transmission. Individuals who are considering tattoos should ensure that their tetanus and hepatitis B vaccines are up to date.
Some precautions are necessary for avoiding tattoo related infections, like changing needles and inkwells, it is also a good idea for patients to ensure that the tattoo artist washes his hands and changes gloves between each client, disinfects all equipment, shaves and cleans the body site with an antimicrobial wash before administering the tattoo, and provides appropriate aftercare instructions.
(2) Another complication arising from tattoos is a possible hypersensitivity reaction, which can be caused by the introduction of foreign ink into the dermis. Some ink elements like mercury, chromium, cadmium, and cobalt have all been associated with delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
(3) Because some inks contain high levels of iron oxide, there is the potential for burns or distortions of the tattoo caused by magnetic hysteresis during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
So, to conclude, I would assure you that tattoos are generally safe and harmless to the heart, if all the above mentioned precautions are applied correctly.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Tattoos are generally safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that tattoos are generally safe, they do not affect your heart, especially in structurally normal hearts.
There are some key points to consider when programing to have a tattoo.
(1) The most common health risk associated with tattooing is localized skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (with some cases of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection arises from the procedure itself, which requires piercing the skin.
Tattooing can also cause systemic infections such as staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, pseudomonal abscesses, and infective endocarditis, tetanus, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C; there exists also the potential for HIV transmission. Individuals who are considering tattoos should ensure that their tetanus and hepatitis B vaccines are up to date.
Some precautions are necessary for avoiding tattoo related infections, like changing needles and inkwells, it is also a good idea for patients to ensure that the tattoo artist washes his hands and changes gloves between each client, disinfects all equipment, shaves and cleans the body site with an antimicrobial wash before administering the tattoo, and provides appropriate aftercare instructions.
(2) Another complication arising from tattoos is a possible hypersensitivity reaction, which can be caused by the introduction of foreign ink into the dermis. Some ink elements like mercury, chromium, cadmium, and cobalt have all been associated with delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
(3) Because some inks contain high levels of iron oxide, there is the potential for burns or distortions of the tattoo caused by magnetic hysteresis during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
So, to conclude, I would assure you that tattoos are generally safe and harmless to the heart, if all the above mentioned precautions are applied correctly.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor thank you so much for answering. The place where I am going is very clean and professional. They use new equipment for each client along with clean gloves and antiseptic cleanser on the skin. Also they have great procedures for after care and maintenance. Is the risk for infection high? I don't have a tetanus shot but all the equipment used is new.
Also forgot to mention I do get high BP when I am nervous. Does getting a tatoo itself affect BP. Will the ink affect my BP?
Also forgot to mention I do get high BP when I am nervous. Does getting a tatoo itself affect BP. Will the ink affect my BP?
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
As you are going to be in highly professional hands, there is nothing to worry about.
The risk of infection seems to be inexistent; BP will not be affected by the ink.
So relax! Go and enjoy your tattoo!
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
As you are going to be in highly professional hands, there is nothing to worry about.
The risk of infection seems to be inexistent; BP will not be affected by the ink.
So relax! Go and enjoy your tattoo!
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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