Heres What You Need To Know About Timing Medication And Healing When You Want To Get A Tattoo And Have Inflammatory Arthritis
Eileen Davidson had a goal: to get 30 tattoos by the age of 30. But when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 29 just one tattoo shy of her goal she had two initial questions for her doctor. One: Can I still have children? Two: Can I still get tattoos?
The arthritis advocate and blogger at Chronic Eileen knew that having an autoimmune disease made her more vulnerable to infection. She had other questions, such as whether her body could handle the healing process, whether getting inked would interfere with the biologic medication she takes for her RA, and if could she time her tattoos to avoid an RA flare.
Both Davidsons rheumatologist and her rheumatology nurse gave her the go-ahead to continue to get tattoos. Giving your health care providers the heads up that this is something you want to do and working with them to get tattoos safely is important for anyone, but its especially key when you have an inflammatory form of arthritis or any disease that could affect your immune system or ability to heal and recover.
Drinking Frequently Or In Excess
If you drink daily or have more than 2 drinks in a day frequently, your treatment for psoriasis may have little or no effect. Even treatment that could be effective for you may not work and youll continue to have flare-ups.
Reduce the risk of flare-ups from drinking
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Quit drinking.
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If you continue to drink, limit how much you drink in a day. Women should stop after 1 drink. Men should limit themselves to 2 drinks per day.
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Be sure to tell your dermatologist if you drink alcohol. Drinking can make it risky to take some psoriasis medications like methotrexate.
Drinking frequently or in excess
If you drink daily or have more than 2 drinks in a day frequently, your treatment for psoriasis may have little or no effect.
Avoid Ink Over Plaques
Tattoo artists cannot ink over plaques because this skin is constantly changing and is not your true skin. If your body is covered in plaques and the silver-white skin known as scales, a tattoo shop will probably turn your business away. You will not get the best tattoo results by tattooing over any skin that is abnormal.
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What Are The Risks Of Tattoos
The tattoo process breaches the skins barriers and punctures its small blood vessels. The intrusion of these foreign bodies into the skin can trigger allergic reactions or the appearance of skin problems specific to an individual.
During the tattoo session, the needles of the machine pierce the skin, creating a breach in the skin barrier. This small wound, which will take a few weeks to heal, can act as a gateway for infections caused by bacteria, especially staphylococci. Fortunately, these infections are rare and, when they do occur, clear up over a few days in the majority of cases. On the one hand, the tattoo artist disinfects the skin regularly throughout the process. On the other hand, the client, immediately after the session, must clean the area regularly with soap and water all throughout the healing process. Soap is an excellent disinfectant and helps prevent skin infections such as bacterial folliculitis or furuncles.
Generally speaking, severe infections caused by common bacteria, like staphylococcus, or atypical germs occur when the tattoo artist works in dirt, unsanitary conditions or when the customer fails to follow the care guidelines provided by the tattoo artist.
In some cases, viral warts can appear on the tattooed area for reasons we still do not fully understand. It is likely that these warts are present prior to getting the tattoo, but are invisible to the naked eye or go unrecognized by the tattoo artist, and are then spread throughout the tattoo.
How Can Psoriasis Affect Relationships And Intimacy
Having psoriasis can affect your relationships with other people in many ways. It can be difficult for family members to see a loved one dealing with a chronic condition like psoriasis, for example. It can also affect your confidence in forming new relationships, especially intimate ones. For more on this topic, see Navigating Relationships and Intimacy With Psoriasis.
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When Tattoos Go Beyond Art
Tattoos may have a significance for some who receive them as an expression of their values and beliefs. Tattoos are an ancient practice, and they are incorporated into cultural and religious practices around the world.
People who live with chronic illness who may receive a tattoo as part of their culture may wish to consult healthcare providers in order to assess and minimize any potential risks. In the instance that a tattoo is part of a tradition, its important for healthcare providers and tattoo artists to respect how body art is important to a persons identity.
Theres a theory that short-lived exposure to stress, such as when getting a tattoo, could be beneficial for the immune system. The authors of one study made a comparison between the immune response of getting a tattoo with the beneficial stress that comes from regular exercise. However, they point out that tattooing doesnt have the same beneficial impact as vaccines or exercise and that people with tattoos still need to care for their health appropriately.
Whatever the reason for receiving a tattoo, its important to consider and be prepared for the potential risks.
Q: Is Getting A Tattoo Safe For Someone With Psoriasis
A: When somebody gets a tattoo, the artist inserts permanent ink of assorted colors into the skin with small punctures of a needle. Complications are relatively rare, but having an underlying disorder that affects the skin like psoriasis can raise the risk of having an immunological response to the ink. It may also prolong the healing time following the procedure. If you’re prone to skin allergies, consider getting patch tested before tattooing to see how your skin might react to the ink. Keep in mind that patch test results are not a guarantee of how your skin will react to a tattoo.
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Combining Medication And Natural Approaches
Try alternating your meds with more natural approaches. Once you have lived with your condition, you will have a better understanding of your body, and you will know how your body reacts to certain meds and certain natural remedies. Include exercise and any form of meditation or relaxation to help you build up defenses against stress.
Can Tattoos Cause Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be caused or triggered by a skin injury or skin lesions. Skin trauma such as sunburns or cuts can also be a culprit. A new tattoo may even lead to a first-time psoriasis reaction in people who may be at risk for developing the condition, even if it is not their first tattoo. This is because psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that may not present itself until a new skin issue occurs.
The process of an injury leading to skin lesion development is known as the Koebner phenomenon . This condition was first described in people with newly diagnosed psoriasis. An inflammatory skin disease can begin after an event that causes traumatic injury to the dermis or skin cells. For example, it can be triggered by a tattoo needle or the immune systems response to the tattoo ink.
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What Are Some Other Risks To Consider When Getting A Tattoo
If you decide to get a tattoo, it is extremely important to check the credentials of the tattoo studio and the tattoo practitioner. The first thing you should do is ask about the tattoo studios procedures for hygiene, sterilization, and other safety practices. If you are tattooed with a needle that is not been cleaned properly, then you can develop very serious infections that can affect your immune system and make your psoriasis worse. Tattoo needles can also insert bacteria or viruses that are present on the surface layer of your skin, which can also cause infections. Serious infections that are possible include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes, and HIV1.
Some people with psoriasis who get a tattoo find that the tattoo becomes discolored in areas where the skin is affected by symptoms3. Some states, such as Louisiana, have laws that prohibit giving tattoos to people who have psoriasis symptoms in the area where the tattoo will be.
Tattoos can also cause other types of skin reactions2. Some people develop large scars called keloids or have swelling, scaling, or sores that form on the tattooed skin. The safety of the ink used in tattoos have not all been tested for safety and may not have been designed for tattooing purposes.
Why Ink Color May Matter
The exact extent of adverse reactions to tattoos is not well understood in the United States. The color of the ink may be related to the risk of inflammation, allergic reactions, and hypersensitivity, because of certain ingredients, including chromium in green ink, cadmium in yellow ink, mercury salt in red ink, and cobalt in blue ink.
In one study of people with tattoos who were selected at random in New York Citys Central Park, 10% had an adverse reaction to a tattoo. For 42% of those who described the reaction as related to the colors used in the tattoo, red was the culprit.
While 90% of those surveyed had black ink in their tattoos, only 25% reported a reaction. The authors of the study conclude that such reactions to tattoos are common.
Testing the ink with a patch test on the skin may or may not be helpful. People who had a reaction to a tattoo who were later given a patch test with red ink did not have the same reaction.
Its thought that the process of receiving the ink during the tattoo session is different enough from a patch test that they are not equivalent. However, reputable tattoo artists will help with completing patch tests when clients have a concern about an allergic reaction.
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Safety Measures And Risks
Skin trauma is a common trigger for psoriasis. Other triggers include stress, excess sun exposure, and smoking.
A person with psoriasis should remember that they have a higher risk of experiencing a flare after having a tattoo.
They also need to consider the same risks that a person without psoriasis does when getting a tattoo. For example:
Cross-contamination: There are strict rules for sanitizing tools and needles, but there is no guarantee that every tattoo artist will follow them. If a tattoo artist reuses a needle or does not keep needles in a sterile condition, a person can contract a serious illness, such as HIV, hepatitis B or C, or tetanus.
Ink contamination: In the past, companies have recalled due to bacterial contamination.
Q: Are Henna Tattoos Safer
A: Henna tattoos are nonpermanent, and theyre painted onto the skin with a brush resulting in a brownish stain. Henna is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for use as hair dye, and black henna contains the chemical p-phenylenediamine, which can cause a severe skin reaction. Even though the process is less invasive than a traditional tattoo, there is still a risk of the Koebner phenomenon.
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Preparing For The Healing Process
While any number of complications can make the tattoo healing process longer, especially common issues like infections, anyone with psoriasis should be ready to deal with a longer-than-normal healing process. This, of course, applies if you develop a flare-up in the area where you got your new tattoo, but it applies in other ways, too.
For example, after receiving a new tattoo, you should be disinfecting and washing it at least twice per day for the first two weeks once in the morning and once in the evening. Since those with psoriasis tend to have more sensitive skin, you should find a gentle disinfectant that wont irritate or break out other areas of your skin before your first session.
If youre used to dealing with psoriasis plaques, it may be tempting to pick at or itch your new tattoo as it heals. However, youll need to commit to leaving it alone, as picking at your tattoo can slow down your healing or even lead to infection. Using a good tattoo healing lotion can help to prevent itching and irritation if this is something youre likely to suffer with.
Hannah Williams 24 Liverpool England
Hannah Williams has accumulated 14 tattoos in just six years. Some tattoos have special meaning, like a semicolon tattoo that represents the struggle of mental illness she and people close to her have faced. For other tattoos, she just liked the design, she says.
âFor example, I have Peter Pan, The Lost Boys and Beetlejuice because theyâre some of my favorite films, and then there are tattoos like semicolon tattoo,â says Williams.
The Koebner phenomenon, in which psoriasis flares can be triggered by damage or trauma to the skin, is a very real consideration for those with psoriasis and tattoos. For Williams, nothing happened after her first tattoo. âMy skin was fine after getting the tattoo,â she says. âBut over the last four years, as my skin got better and worse, I have had patches pop up over my tattoos.â
Williams says when the lesions heal, the tattoo is unaffected.
âAt the point when I got my first tattoo, my skin was at a good place, and I didnât have any reservations about getting it done,â says Williams.
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Do Psoriasis And Tattoos Mix
Tattoos are a form of self-expression and have been around for centuries. On any given day, youre apt to see someone with a visible tattoo while walking down the street.
With the ever-growing popularity of tattoos, you may be wondering about the safety of tattoos if you have psoriasis.
Below, weve outlined some safety considerations for you about psoriasis and tattoos.
Shannon Hall 31 San Antonio Texas
Air Force veteran Shannon Hall had never heard of the Koebner phenomenon and the effects prior to getting tattooed.
âI didnât know that damage or an injury to the skin could cause a flare-up, and that wouldnât have changed anything anyway. I love my tattoos, and after this current flare-up is gone, I will be getting more,â says Hall.
âPsoriasis is not curable, so Iâm not going to let it stop me from living,â she adds.
Hall got her first tattoo at age 19 â a cherry blossom on her lower abdomen. Luckily, she has never had any reaction to getting tattoos. She now has a sleeve and 5 other tattoos, all of which hold deep symbolism for her. For instance, on her foot is an infinity symbol, which represents her refusal to âsink because of the obstacles,â Hall says. âItâs a reminder of what I went through and that Iâll always make it.â
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Getting A Tattoo Safely
People with psoriasis who choose to get a tattoo should consider tattooing a region of their body that is not typically affected by psoriasis. This option can be difficult for many people who have psoriasis, as plaque psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body. The tattooing process may lead to a future flare-up in the location of the new tattoo.
Choose a tattoo parlor that is clean and sanitized frequently. All equipment and surfaces must be sterilized. This step helps to prevent skin infections such as hepatitis B that can worsen psoriasis plaques. Make sure you talk with the tattoo artist about their processes. For example, verify that they are following all appropriate procedures including wearing gloves and using fresh needles.
People with psoriasis should also seek proper counseling from a medical provider before getting a tattoo.
Do I Need To See A Doctor Before A Tattoo If I Have Psoriasis
It is imperative to talk to your doctor about the tattoos risks, your specific type of psoriasis, and the treatment you are using.
Follow with him the severity of your psoriasis and the response you are having with the proposed treatments.
- For this, you can use tools such as DLQI and, with your doctor, PASI .
- If you can reach a middle term that works for you and your doctor, then go ahead and start investigating the type of tattoo you want and some safe stores that you can do it.
- Look for tattooists and reliable studios: obey sanitary regulations, possess quality material, disposable , and sterilized in an autoclave. Check if the studio is clean and uses adequate hygienic processes.
You can check the licensing of the parlor before you get your Psoriasis tattoos done.
This way, you will know that you are putting your safety first and that your tattoo parlor has the necessary equipment to perform the tattoo without risks.
Make sure that the artist working in the parlor has his own equipment and a sterile method of cleaning the tattoo site.
- Check the material before use: Observe if the inks are used from new individual jars and not from a multipurpose bottle.
- Many body parts where psoriasis is common, such as the scalp, elbows, and knees, are not suitable places for tattoos.
The most common problem that people face after their tattoos are dry skin, so you should also make sure that your tattoos are not overdone because this will lead to skin irritation.
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