Getting inked may be cool but it comes with its major side effects and other problems. Here's our take on why you should avoid it.
![How Safe Is Your Favorite Tattoo? How Safe Is Your Favorite Tattoo?](https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2017-06/tattooed-skin_696x400_61496744020.jpg?q=50)
Tattoos can severely affect your skin and cause diseases as serious AIDS
Tattoos may seem cool, and fashionable to you, but, getting the same has its own share of problems. Ever heard of someone dying due to a tattoo? You read it right; inking can certainly go to that extent.
Following are some of the problems that arise due to tattoos:
1. Allergies and Bacterial Infection
Allergic reactions are the most common side effects of getting a tattoo. These allergies may happen like itchy rashes, skin swelling and oozing fluids. For instance, yellow and red pigments trigger allergic reactions when exposed to sunlight (referred as photosensitivity). Apart from allergies, bacterial infection is also frequent. The location that gets inked is similar to an open wound, thus, vulnerable to bacteria and germs. This directly hits at the immune system of the person. Each infection has its own kind of severity and it needs to be dealt with optimal medication. Among bacterial infections, Staphylococcal infection is one kind - Staphylocci is a type of bacteria that enters in the skin due to skin punctures leading to severe infection.
2. Keloid and Dermatitis
Often, getting a tattoo causes abnormal tissue scarring, ultimately, creating tough lesions called as Keloid. This happens to people who are predisposed (genetically) to develop them. Coming to Dermatitis, it is a kind of skin rash. You may have often come across dark tattoos with glow which are done with UV reactive ink – causing dermatitis (skin rashes). As a matter of fact, this is not approved by FDA.
![tattoo skin](https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2017-06/tattoo-skin_696x400_71496744859.jpg)
3.Granuloma, Bleeding and Hematoma Formation
You may often see bumps that emerge on the skin around the tattoo area, this is called as Granuloma. This is a kind of infection that happens when your body perceives it as a foreign substance. Blood collection around the tattoo area is called as Hematoma. People who take blood thinners often have severe bleeding while getting the tattoo. Healing takes a lot of time in this regard, so get a tattoo on your risk.
4. Severity on Lymphatics
The tattoo pigments tend to enter into the lymphatic system leading to clogging of the lymphatic nodes, thus, causing inflammation. These lymph nodes get discolored, which look like those affected by a kind of skin cancer, melanoma. There are chances that this may play a role in cancer staging.
5. Blood Borne Diseases and Koebnerised Reactions
Blame it to the unhygienic infrastructure, process or inadequate care, one may get afflicted with diseases like Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and AIDS. Koebnerised Reactions are the skin reactions wherein the new lesions are formed from any skin disease (happens due to any skin injury). This kind of reaction may lead to Vitiligo, Psoriasis, and Lichen Planus.
What causes all the above?
A lot happens because of amateur tattoo practices and standards. So, it is important to get inked by an experienced artist who understands all the pros and cons of the process. One should keep in mind that if someone is allergic to any kind of skin disease or has a sensitive skin, he or she should avoid getting a tattoo. Some of the causes include:
• Unhygienic equipment
• Lack of cleaning in the environment
• Inadequate post-tattoo care
• Usage of dirty water
If you feel any kind of pain, rash, itching or any other issue even after several days of getting tattooed, get a medical consultation immediately.
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