Nasty Tattoos

You probably know that a body tattoo is injected into the skin by using a machine with a sharp needle and ink. What you probably don't realize, is that a tattooing machine can pierce the skin as many as 3,000 times a minute. Each one of these holes can be as deep as 1/16 of an inch. These open wounds scab over, but they can still cause health problems... and maybe even death. Before you even consider injected in this fashion, you need to know the deadly dangers of body tattoos.

As far as tattoo parlors are concerned, it's the responsibility of the operator to make sure his/her equipment and shop are clean and sanitary. It's also their responsibility to use hygienic procedures. Tattoo parlors are governed by state and local laws to do so. But, these laws aren't always strictly enforced. So, no matter if you have your neighbor give you a tattoo in his basement, or you visit a legitimate tattoo parlor, your new body marking can be a deadly danger.

While some tattoo parlors do pay strict attention to sanitation, they are in the minority...

One of the most common health problems with body tattoos is allergic reactions to the ink. Body tattoos can also cause skin infections and chronic skin ailments. Examples of recurring skin ailments include psoriasis and dermatitis. Body tattoos can also cause tumors which may be benign, or even malignant.

If these deadly dangers don't make you think twice about getting a tattoo, then consider the fact that getting a body tattoo puts you at the risk of contracting tetanus, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and even Syphilis. Hepatitis C alone claims more than 10,000 lives every year!

The results of research performed by Dr. Bob Haley and Dr. Paul Fischer of the University of Texas Southwestern