The Risk Factors of Getting a Tattoo
Eric Zuck
Axia College
The Risk Factors of Getting a Tattoo
While most people who get tattoos have little or no problems, there are very real chances that something very bad can happen. Nevertheless, a majority of people choose to get tattooed for a variety of reasons. For a few, it is an artistic decision or possibly a rite of passage. Then there are people who want permanent makeup; while others use tattooing as a necessity due to reconstructive surgery. Regardless of the reason, people considering tattoos should take the time to become informed about the risks in order to get the tattooing done safely. These risks can range from minor skin irritations to life-threatening infections to social and emotional risks.
Physical risks should be of utmost importance. Always remember, a new tattoo is also a wound. Like any other cut, scrape, or laceration to the skin, a tattoo is at risk for infections and disease. The first risk of infection comes from the equipment itself.
If the equipment used to create the tattoo should be contaminated, such as the ink pot; or there is blood present from an infected individual, it is possible to contract a number of serious blood-borne diseases. Some of these diseases include tetanus, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C (Jetelina 2004). According to a report by Haley and Fischer (2003), “Tattoos obtained commercially are believed to be the cause of double the hepatitis C virus infections compared to those from illegal drug use.” “Out of 626 individuals that were interviewed between 1991 and 1992, the ones who had obtained tattoos from a commercial tattoo artist had an odds ratio of 6.5% for hepatitis C infection. Tattoos done at commercial tattoo parlors accounted for 41% of the hepatitis C infections.” (Mitchell 2001).
There are also other risks that are not as severe. These would include skin infections, both bacterial and viral,...