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Dear Sirs-
I believe I have had an allergic reaction to a tattoo a received. It has been a year I have had it and is still raised up, probably about 1/8 of an inch. It get severely sore and produces layers of dry skin. Is very sensitive to the touch and itches sometimes, but I am unable to scratch it, because of the pain.
I have done some research and have been to the doctor, but have gotten no resolution. It seems to me (I am not a doctor though) that I have had a dye reaction to the colors that are in my tattoo which are red and yellow.
It has also seemed, but may be totally unrelated, that I have had issues with my lungs since I received that tattoo. Chronic coughing and infections.
FYI - I have been tested for hep a, b and c and aids.
I am really looking to see what is the best route to take. Medications to control it or whether it be laser removal, or is the damage already done. Or surgically have it removed... ??? Any advice you can give or direction that you can send me would be so greatly be appreciated.
Best Regards-
Stacey
In Reply to: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo?? posted by Stacey on June 15, 2001 at 14:28:10:
i dont know why so many people are into tatoos, besides permanently disfiguring the skin God gave us,and the risk of disease transmission, these things are filled with poisons.is it really worth the risk to have a crappy non - original piece of "art" permanently placed on your body?? i dont get it. i see bad reactions all the time. some colors have mercury in them , most of the dyes have toxic pollutants in them. you may want to get a heavy metal test.i would also look into a current dermatologist to see about ht esafe wasy of removing tatoos.
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo?? posted by doc bob on June 15, 2001 at 14:40:12:
Because its art......people like it.....not all people are allergic and have allergic reactions to tatoos........
Why is it that when someone posts for advice to a medical problem - they cant just get an answer to the medical problem? Why do people have to give their own personal opinions? Do people who post allways have to receive personal opinions on their life style before they get medical advice? Thats not what this board is about.
In Reply to: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo?? posted by Stacey on June 15, 2001 at 14:28:10:
You should see a doctor as soon as possible. I agree with the other poster, a heavy metal test would probably be helpful. And if you've noticed that you now are more sick than you were before the tatoo, you are probably right. Trust your gut feelings. It sounds like you've had a very bad allergic reaction, and it could affect you on a systemic level. The only thing I think could be a problem is that you've waited so long before seeking a resolution, you may take a while to recover from it.
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo??-Doc Bob posted by Barb1 on June 15, 2001 at 16:53:38:
sorry. i didnt mean to be judgemental. i feel sorry for peole ( especially kids) who dont know the dangers involved. i care about the health of others a great deal. im allowed to express my opinion , am i not? ill try to be more subdued., but, i feel that if they knew they wouldnt get it done. maybe im wrong. i do know that the dangers arent made clear.
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitus -sorry posted by doc bob on June 16, 2001 at 08:26:15:
hi doc Bob,
I appoligize too If I came on a little to strong myself.
I have read many posts judgeing people and giving them lectures before they give helpful advice. That may prevent some people from even posting and getting help they need. People are going to do things even if we give them truth to draw from. And, usually the deed is already done. They don't want to hear it, and they have to find out for themselves the hard way.
In Reply to: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo?? posted by Stacey on June 15, 2001 at 14:28:10:
Hi, Stacy.
I believe doc bob has your best interests at heart and I agree with him. The problem as I see it is that the people who do tatoos look at themselves as "artists" and actually discry the thought of any medical "complications" as though is was below their consideration. This creates a mileau that prevents the person learning what they are possibly letting themselves in for BEFORE getting the tattoo---besides, that is bad for business!
There is little doubt that you are having a local (and systemic) reaction to the dye that was used. The problem is that the usual way of removing tattoos will not get rid of the allergic reaction which will continue to get worse over the years. For example, laser therapy only decolorizes the dye; it does not remove it.
A demrmatologist should be able to advise you as to what approach will actually remove the dye. The only thing I know is surgical removal of the skin in that area which is going to require a skin graft and will leave a disfiguring scar.
If you learn differently please let us know what you have learned.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitus - Tattoo?? (Archive in skin discoloration.) posted by Walt Stoll on June 17, 2001 at 09:23:59:
I have spent many hours searching the site and can not find any information about spider veins and tattoos. I am twenty four years old and would like to get a tattoo. The problem is where I would like to get it (above my ankle bone), I have one purplish vein. I was wondering if you could tell me if it is o-kay to get the tattoo. I know professionals strongly advice against tattoos but could you let me know if the vein will cause a problem. Is there any way of knowing how deep the vein is? Would my family doctor be able to let me know how deep the vein is? I do have varicose veins on both legs. I have had them for many years. No matter what my weight is. I have three children and the veins have gotten worse with each pregnancy but I had the varicose and spider veins since high school. Where I want to get the tattoo though, is not near my varicose veins. There is only that one purple vein. Thank you in advance, Laura
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos posted by Laura on July 09, 2001 at 09:52:25:
Hi, Laura.
IF this vein is a spider vein, I would get it treated with a laser before getting the tattoo.
Personally, I would never take the chance of a tattoo in a leg with varicosities--especially on the ankle where stasis dermatitis and stasis ulcers tend to form in people with varicosities. Look them up in a color dermatology atlas so you can see what you are risking. If you want it someplace it will show, how about your forearm or upper chest?
Walt
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos posted by Laura on July 09, 2001 at 09:52:25:
Hi, Laura.
IF this vein is a spider vein, I would get it treated with a laser before getting the tattoo.
Personally, I would never take the chance of a tattoo in a leg with varicosities--especially on the ankle where stasis dermatitis and stasis ulcers tend to form in people with varicosities. Look them up in a color dermatology atlas so you can see what you are risking. If you want it someplace it will show, how about your forearm or upper chest?
Walt
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos (Very risky on the ankle.) posted by Walt Stoll on July 10, 2001 at 09:45:05:
Thank you for answering my questions. I had a few more in response to your answer. Are you saying that getting a tattoo on my ankle could cause stasis dermatitis and stasis ulcers or put me at a higher risk to get them? Is it harmful to get a tattoo on or near the purple vein without having it treated with the laser? If I didn't have the varicose veins only the spider vein would it change your answer? The reason why I am asking is because the leg that I would like to get the tattoo on has only on small area near my knee that has varicose veins. Thank you again. Laura
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos (Very risky on the ankle.) posted by Laura on July 10, 2001 at 12:43:17:
Hi, Laura.
The mechanics of varicosities affect the entire leg.
Varicosities cause stasis ulcers by depriving the skin of oxygen and so decreases the skin's tolerance to any stress. Anyone would say that a tattoo causes stress to the area of the tattoo.
Getting a tattoo right over a varicosity would greatly increase your risk. A tattoo artist is not likely to tell you that.
Hope this helps. What did you think of the pictures?
Walt
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos (Very risky on the ankle.) posted by Walt Stoll on July 11, 2001 at 07:46:25:
Thank you once again. I can't describe how awfull I felt when I saw those pictures. I didn't even know about statis dermatitis or stasis ulcers until yesturday. Is there anything that I can do to help preventing myself of getting that in the future? I have read in magazines about expensive treatment to help rid myself of varicose and spider veins, if I was to go through with that would that help prevent getting stasis dermatitis and/or stais ulcers? I didn't think that a tattoo could put me at a higher risk for those. That is scary to think that I could possibly have gotten the tattoo on my ankle not knowing what could be in the future because of it. I figured being that the varicose vein is up by my knee, not near my ankle that I was pretty safe. Thanks once again! Laura
In Reply to: Re:spider veins and tattoos (Very risky on the ankle.) posted by Laura on July 11, 2001 at 10:35:10:
Hi, Laura.
Glad I could help. ANY conventional physician could have done the same if they were willing to stop and explain things to you.
That is what you need right now. I cannot answer your questions from here--not having the privilege of examining you. You need a good physician to examine you and carefully answer your questions. If it were me, I would take a tape recorder with me and record everything she says.
Go to the archives for Holistic Practitioners and find a good one close to you.
Let us know what you learn. Conventional treatment, PLUS preventive maintenance following that, WILL greatly reduce the chances of stasis dermatitis and ulceration.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitus -sorry -Doc Bob posted by Barb1 on June 16, 2001 at 15:04:08:
I just wanted to offer my own very personal perspective on the issue. I strongly agree that people need to be aware of the health risks associated with getting a tattoo. However, I'd also like to point out that not everyone gets a tattoo "because they're pretty". I got one (and only one) after a very physically and emotionally tough year because of the spiritual and healing aspects of body art. My tattoo has highly personal meaning; it acts a touchstone for me when I get worried or stressed out, and I honestly believe that this tattoo both reflects and assisted in my personal growth. I'd also like to point out that many indigenous peoples practice the art of tattoo, namely for ritual and spiritual purposes, to (apparently) little ill effect.
That said, the physical risks (localized infection, allergy, hepatitis, etc.) are very real. As someone who has a hyperactive immune system (characterized by very sensitive skin and various systemic allergic reactions to this, that, and the other), I sympathize with the person who is experiencing a systemic or local reaction. I (yes, luckily for me) did not have a reaction to the dye used in my tattoo. My design only used black ink, which as I understand it, has a more highly standardized chemical composition within the tattooing industry and is less likely to cause allergic reactions. (I've also heard that red and yellow dyes cause more reactions that other colors--not sure if that's true or not.)
I'm not sure how you determine whether you'll be allergic to a given dye or not, but a highly decorated friend of mine once recommended getting a tiny tattoo in a nonvisible place (a tiny dot, short line, small circle, etc) in order to determine if you'll have a reaction. Of course, if you do, you do. But you'll only have that small area to deal with (and yes, possibly a systemic reaction as well). IN THEORY, with less ink involved, though, your reaction should be to a lesser degree (or at least, if local, confined to a smaller area) than with a larger design and more ink.
My recommendation to anyone considering a tattoo or body piercing would be: GET EDUCATED! There are lots of really good web sites out there with information on these topics, including health risks (and info for allergy-prone types like me). One, run by an organization whose name escapes me right now (sorry, folks--don't have the URL bookmarked), offers really good advice aforethought and about aftercare. Make sure you visit a reputable studio and discuss any of your concerns with your tattoo artist or piercer. Just make sure you know what you're doing and have been apprised of all the risks before you run off and do it. That's my (sage) advice!
On a side note, I found an anti-itch creme called "Natural Harmony", by "the makers of Lanacane". It has antioxidants, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and all sorts of other natural ingredients. It's the only thing I found that would calm my itchy healing tattoo, and it's terrific for other itchy skin, too, including insect bites and assorted rashes.
Best wishes to all!
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitis: none here, but a few suggestions posted by max on July 16, 2001 at 02:40:10:
Thanks, Max.
Excellent summary of the risks and benefits of tattooing!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitis: none here, but a few suggestions posted by Walt Stoll on July 17, 2001 at 08:04:06:
Thanks--hope it helps someone.
I thought of a few other related issues, too, to add to the "excellent summary".
1) I heard that tattoos can occasionally cause a false positive for hepatitis tests. I heard that on a news program several years ago, so I don't know if the tests have improved since then or not. If you get a positive hepatitis result and think it might be related to a tattoo (i.e., you got hepatitis from a tattoo), you might ask about re-testing, just to be sure, so you don't undergo any unnecessary treatment. Modern tattoo studios typically meet very strict health standards these days (in Texas, they're regulated by the Dept of Health, but many studios voluntarily meet the standards issued by professional societies). The chance of getting hepatitis or other blood-borne disease, while real, is infinitesimal if you go to a properly outfitted, conscientious studio. Like I said earlier, educate yourself first.
2) If you get an infected piercing (bellybutton, for example), DO NOT just take out the jewelry so that it will "close up". If you do, you run the risk of getting an abscess--the infection can get trapped under the "healing" skin and result in a really nasty wound and a serious infection. After the cartilage piercing in my ear got infected, a mean triage nurse at my college clinic told me to just take out the earring and go home. But I finally convinced her to let me see someone, and a very nice elderly nurse showed me how to treat my poor sore ear with prescription cortisone cream (take the earring out, put cream on ear and jewelry, insert earring; repeat twice daily). Thank goodness for that nice lady or I could have ended up in serious trouble! Anyway, if you get an infection, see your doctor and get proper antibiotic or steroidal or other appropriate treatment.
3) Speaking of doctors, some of those web sites I mentioned in my earlier post have lists of "body-modification-friendly" doctors (i.e., doctors who will help you heal any piercing or tattoo-related problems without passing judgment [unlike Dr. Bob]). Try to find one of these lists if you think your own regular doc won't be sympathetic.
Anyway, just a few more thoughts from my feeble brain. Hope someone finds them useful.
In Reply to: Re: Allergy Contact Dermatitis: none here, but a few suggestions posted by max on July 23, 2001 at 00:05:57:
Thanks, Max.
Namaste`
Walt
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