Tattoos Safety From HIV (AIDS)

Tattoos Safety From HIV (AIDS)

When getting a tattoo, most people fear getting the virus known as HIV, which can lead to the dreaded AIDS virus. Although many fear HIV, it is just one of the many viruses that can result from tattoos. Staph, syphilis, tuberculosis, and hepatitis are all but a few of the other diseases that can result from tattoos. All it takes is a dirty or unsanitary needle and you could wind up contracting one of the deadly viruses listed above.

Just like other activities, tattooing can be very dangerous. Although tattooing is indeed dangerous, there are ways that you can minimize or eliminate the potential dangers. Each and everyday, tattoo artists have to adhere to a strict code of safety to ensure that the risk of contracting HIV or any other diseases is little to none. Professional tattoo artists will sterilize their equipment after each use. They use steam pressure autoclave when disinfecting their tattoo guns and needles. Bleach and alcohol don’t sterilize the equipment; they are instead used to prep the equipment.

Once the bleach and alcohol have been used on the instruments, they will then be autoclaved, which will sterilize them. When the tattoo artist does the tattoo, he should always wear rubber gloves that can easily be disposed of. The ointment spreaders and any type of rags that are used should also be disposable. When you walk into the tattoo studio, the floors should be spotless. In the rooms where the tattoos are done, the working area should always be clean and sanitary. Before the tattooist starts the tattoo, he should always give each customer a brand new set of fresh needles. Then, he should always dip the needle in a small cap of pigment that he just took out of a large squeezable bottle. If the artist dips the needle into the big bottle, you may very well be sharing fluids with those who have had tattoos from that same big bottle.

Whenever you decide to get a tattoo you should always put safety first. Safety is very important with tattoos, as you could otherwise get a disease or a serious infection. Before you decide on a tattoo studio, you should always make sure that they are clean and sanitary. If you get a tattoo from a studio that is dirty or unsanitary, you could wind up on a never ending spiral of infections and viruses.

Unfortunately, no statistics seem to exist to help inform those interested in tattoos exactly what the risks are. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) currently list a number of potential risks for those who choose to get tattoos, no government organization has any numbers published to document those risks.

Infection

1. The risk for infection is unclear. People with diabetes or diseases that affect their immune system appear to be at higher risk. Keeping the area clean should help avoid infection, but is not a guarantee.

Allergic Reaction

2. While the FDA notes that it has not approved any inks that are used for tattooing for use on humans, it also does not keep a record of allergic reactions. It has been noted that some inks have a higher risk - such as red and yellow - due to their components, but no statistics exist. Part of the problem is that allergic reactions can happen up to years after the actual tattoo is applied, so keeping track of those who suffer a reaction is difficult.

Granulomas

3. Granulomas are raised bumps that occur as a reaction to skin damage. They can form from tattoos as the tattoo process injures the skin. There are no reported numbers as to how many people suffer from granulomas as a result of tattooing.

Keloids

4. Keloids are simply excessive scars that seem to grow beyond what is expected. Some people are more prone to them than others. If you have a tendency to grow keloids, tattooing will put you at risk. Again, however, no numbers exist as to how many people suffer from this side effect.

MRI Complications

5. Although some people are concerned about potential MRI complications, there have not been enough noted to compile any definitive record. It is noted, though, that permanent make-up tattooing--in particular eye liner--has become irritated after an MRI in several cases.

HIV

6. Tattooing does involve blood when the needle pierces the skin, but as of 2009, there are no recorded cases of HIV transmission through tattooing.

Hepatitis

7. Even the Red Cross is concerned with the risk of hepatitis being transmitted through a tattoo. However, the CDC's latest numbers from 1996 show that only .8% of cases (12 out of 13,387) appear to be related to tattooing.