A visitor to a Tattoo and Piercing Convention event shows her tattoos in Dortmund, Germany on June 15, 2012. Photo (File) AP
People seeking to get a tattoo should be picky about the parlor they have them done at, U.S. researchers say in the wake of a study that found a link between body art and Hepatitis C, the leading cause of liver cancer. According to the study, which appeared in the journal Hepatology, people with the blood borne hepatitis C virus, were almost four times more likely to report having a tattoo, even when other major risk factors were taken into account Tattooing in and of itself may pose a risk for this disease that can lay dormant for many, many years, said study co-author Fritz Francois of New York University Langone Medical Center, although he warned that the study could not produce a direct cause and effect. About 3.2 million people in the United States have hepatitis C, and many dont know because they dont feel ill, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants in the U.S. Some 70 per cent of people infected will develop chronic liver disease, and up to 5 per cent will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
A tattoo artist works during an International Congress of Tattoo Artists in Moscow on May 18, 2012. Photo (File) AFP
For the current study, researchers asked almost 2,000 people about their tattoos and hepatitis status, among other question, at outpatient clinics at three New York area hospitals between 2004 and 2006. They found that 34 per cent of people with hepatitis C had a tattoo, compared to 12 per cent of people without the infection. The most common routes of infection for hepatitis C are through a blood transfusion before 1992 or a history of injected drug use. Injected drug use accounts for 60 per cent of new hepatitis cases a year, but 20 per cent have no history of either injected drug use or other exposure, according to the CDC. Francois and his colleagues only included people with hepatitis C who did not contract it from these two other common sources. After accounting for other risk factors, the difference between people with and without
hepatitis was even greater, with four times as many tattoos in the infected group than for uninfected people. This is not a big surprise to me, said John Levey, clinical chief of gastroenterology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Earlier studies had found a link, but they were small and had not taken other risk factors into account as well as the new study did. But the CDCs Scott Holmberg said the link may not be quite as strong as the findings suggest, because some people who used illegal drugs probably would not admit it, even on an anonymous questionnaire. And they didnt rule out people who picked up hepatitis before getting their tattoo.
A tattoo of Captain America drawn by artist Sean Karon on the leg of client Ron Raucci at the Hampton Roads Tattoo Festival in Virginia on March 2, 2012. Photo (File) Reuters
Holmberg recommends that people only have tattoos or piercings done by trained professionals, noting that there have been no reports of hepatitis C outbreaks linked to professional tattoo parlors in the United States. Tattoo parlors are not federally regulated, and standards vary by state and region. The Alliance for Professional Tattooists recommend finding a tattoo artist who wears disposable gloves, a clean work space without blood spatters and single-use disposable needle kits.
[h=1]Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions[/h]By Mayo Clinic staff Original Article:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020[h=1]Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions[/h][h=2]Tattoos might be more common than ever, but don't take tattooing lightly. Know the risks and understand basic safety precautions and aftercare steps.[/h]By Mayo Clinic staffYou could be the proud owner of a new tattoo in a matter of hours — but don't let the ease of getting tattoos stop you from making a thoughtful decision about permanent body art. Before you get a tattoo, make sure you know what's involved. Also, be certain that tattooing is the right decision for you.
[h=2]How tattoos are done[/h]A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin's top layer. Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held machine that acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more needles piercing the skin repeatedly. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny ink droplets. The process — which is done without anesthetics — causes a small amount of bleeding and slight to potentially significant pain.
[h=2]Know the risks[/h]
Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible. Specific risks include:
Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
Skin infections. A skin infection — which might cause redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like drainage — is possible after tattooing.
Other skin problems. Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink. Tattooing can also lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image — such as when a person who has permanent eyeliner has an MRI of the eye.
Medication or other treatment — including possible removal of the tattoo — might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.
[h=2]Make sure you're ready[/h]Before you get a tattoo, ask yourself whether you truly want to invest in permanent body art. If you're unsure or worried that you might regret it someday, give yourself more time to think about it. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into getting a tattoo, and don't get a tattoo if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you decide to go ahead with the tattoo, choose the location of the tattoo carefully. Consider whether you want the tattoo to be visible or hidden under clothing. Also remember that weight gain — including pregnancy weight gain — might distort the tattoo or otherwise affect its appearance.
[h=2]Insist on safety precautions[/h]To make sure your tattoo will be applied safely, answer these questions:
Who does the tattooing? Don't attempt to tattoo yourself or allow an untrained friend to do the tattooing. Go to a reputable tattooing studio that employs only properly trained employees. Keep in mind that regulation requirements and licensing standards vary from state to state. Check with your city, county or state health department for information on local licensing and regulations.
Does the tattoo artist wear gloves? Make sure the tattoo artist washes his or her hands and wears a fresh pair of protective gloves for each procedure.
Does the tattoo artist use proper equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist removes the needle and tubes from sealed packages before your procedure begins. Any pigments, trays or containers should be unused as well.
Does the tattoo artist sterilize nondisposable equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist uses a heat sterilization machine (autoclave) to sterilize all nondisposable equipment between customers. Instruments and supplies that can't be sterilized with an autoclave — including drawer handles, tables and sinks — should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use.
[h=2]Take good care of your tattoo[/h]How you care for your new tattoo depends on the type and extent of work done. Typically, however, you'll need to:
Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the tattooed skin while it's healing.
Keep the tattooed skin clean. Use plain soap and water and a gentle touch. While showering, avoid direct streams of water on the newly tattooed skin. Pat — don't rub — the area dry.
Use moisturizer. Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day.
Avoid sun exposure. Keep the tattooed area out of the sun for at least a few weeks.
Avoid swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing.
Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.
Allow up to 2 weeks for healing. Don't pick at any scabs, which increases the risk of infection and can damage the design and cause scarring.
If you think your tattoo might be infected or you're concerned that your tattoo isn't healing properly, contact your doctor. If you're interested in tattoo removal, ask your dermatologist about laser surgery or other options for tattoo removal. References
Desai NA, et al. Body art in adolescents: Paint, piercings, and perils. Adolescent Medicine. 2011;22:97.
Braverman PK. Body art: Piercing, tattooing, and scarification. Adolescent Medicine Clinics. 2006;17:505.
MC00020March 20, 2012
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Researchers are hoping that people will do some research about where to get a tattoo, after a study found a link between body art and hepatitis C.
The new study found that people with the virus were almost four times more likely to report having a tattoo, even when other major risk factors were taken into account, co-author Dr. Fritz Francois of New York University Langone Medical Center told Reuters Health.
Although the study could not prove a direct cause and effect, "Tattooing in and of itself may pose a risk for this disease that can lay dormant for many, many years," Francois said.
About 3.2 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, and many don't know because they don't feel ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and most common reason for liver transplants in the U.S. Some 70 percent of people infected will develop chronic liver disease, and up to 5 percent will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
For the current study, researchers asked almost 2,000 people about their tattoos and hepatitis status, among other questions, at outpatient clinics at three New York area hospitals between 2004 and 2006.
Researchers found that 34 percent of people with hepatitis C had a tattoo, compared to 12 percent of people without the infection.
The most common routes of contracting hepatitis C, a blood-borne disease, are through a blood transfusion before 1992 or a history of injected drug use. Injected drug use accounts for 60 percent of new hepatitis cases every year, but 20 percent of cases have no history of injected drug use or other exposure, according to the CDC.
Francois and his colleagues only included people with hepatitis C who did not contract it from these two other common sources.
After accounting for other risk factors, the difference between people with and without hepatitis was even greater, with four times as many tattoos in the infected group than for uninfected people, according to results published in the journal Hepatology.
"This is not a big surprise to me," Dr. John Levey, clinical chief of gastroenterology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, told Reuters Health. Earlier studies had found a link, but they were small and had not taken other risk factors into account as well as this new one did.
"This was one of the stragglers, and now we finally have some numbers for it," said Levey, who was not involved in the study.
Still, the CDC's Dr. Scott Holmberg said the link may not be quite as strong as the findings suggest, because some people who had used illegal drugs probably would not admit it, even on an anonymous questionnaire. And the researchers didn't rule out people who contracted hepatitis before getting their tattoo. What to look for in a tattoo parlor
Holmberg, of the CDC's viral hepatitis division, recommends people only have tattoos or piercings done by trained professionals.
"In the U.S., there have been no reports of hepatitis C outbreaks linked to professional tattoo parlors," told Reuters Health by email.
In 2012, 1 in 5 people reported having at least 1 tattoo, according to a Harris poll.
"There are very reputable places that use appropriate standards," said Francois. Tattoo parlors are not federally regulated, and standards vary by state and region, so it's up to the consumer to do their homework, he said.
The Alliance for Professional Tattooists recommend finding a tattoo artist who wears disposable gloves, a clean work space without blood spatters and single-use disposable needle kits.
Levey said he wouldn't prevent his two adult daughters from getting tattoos, but he would make sure they were aware of the hepatitis C risk first.
"A lot of their friends have tattoos, it's the cool thing to do," he said. "They're adults, they can make their own decisions. But I'd mention this to them, because the long-term consequences of hepatitis C are so serious."
