Serious Viral Infections
One of the hazards of obtaining a tattoo is the possibility for serious infection. Because tattoos involve having a needle pierce your skin, it is possible for contaminated blood or serum to enter your bloodstream. One serious risk is the possibility of being infected by HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. These three viruses are all transmitted from blood-blood contact. This can happen if needles that are used on an infected person are then used on an uninfected person. This blood or serum may not be visible, even when present in quantities sufficient to cause infection. To prevent against this, all tattoo artists and parlors should sterilize all equipment after each use.
Skin Infections
Another common source of infection from getting a tattoo is due to improper hygiene or care of the tattoo site. Skin infections can happen due to equipment that hasn't been sterilized or from poor sterilization conditions in the tattoo parlor. Skin infections can also come from poor personal hygiene on the part of the tattoo artist. Symptoms of a skin infection include inflammation and swelling, as well as pain, itchiness, or redness at the infection site, or pus.
Prevent Infections
Most tattoo infections can be prevented by carefully researching and choosing a good parlor and artist. First, you should get a basic idea of what are proper sterilization procedures that all tattoo artists must use. Then, look around the store for a machine called an autoclave, which is a type of oven used for sterilization. Also check to make sure that your artist properly sterilizes before putting on the rubber gloves to protect you during the process. Its also best if you insist that your artist use a new needle rather than one that has been sterilized. Finally, follow all instructions given to you and care for and maintain your new tattoo.
Tags: been sterilized, blood serum, from poor, Skin infections, tattoo artists
