Overindulging in fashion brings with it some serious consequences. This is proved yet again by a latest study on tattooing. The study revealed that tattooing increases the risk of hepatitis C and a few other blood-borne diseases.

The researchers from University of British Columbia studied and analyzed 124 different studies. These studies were conducted in various countries including United States, Canada, Brazil, Italy and Iran and revealed that the more number of tattoos an individual has, the higher is the incidence of hepatitis C thus directly linking tattooing with hepatitis C.

For tattooing, the skin is actually punctured at a rate of 80-150 times per second for injection of color pigments. The tattooing instruments obviously come in direct contact with bodily fluids including blood. If these instruments are used on multiple persons then infections are easily transmitted unless these are sterilized. Proper hygiene techniques are a must if the same instruments are being used on more than one individual.

The dyes used for tattooing are not usually stored in sterilized containers and thus are open to to act as a carrier in transmission of infections. Dr. Siavash Jafari, the lead author of the study, emphasized on the need to educate clients and general public on the risks involved in tattooing. He said that tattoo artists should be regulated to discuss the harms of tattooing with their clients before they get tattooed.

Hepatitis C is not the only condition to be linked with tattooing. The other risks associated with either tattooing or tattoo removal includes HIV, hepatitis B, allergic reactions and fungal or bacterial infections.

The research time suggests introducing guidelines for both clients and tattoo artists for control of infection. These guidelines can be enforced through regular inspections, maintaining records and reports of unpleasant events.

About 12-25% of Canadian prisoners with tattoos were diagnosed with hepatitis C  whereas the general population constituted just 6%.

Source:

International Journal of Infectious Diseases