Tattoos and pmr

Posted , 6 users are following.

i know this may sound really stupid but I've been wanting to get a small tattoo on my finger.  I'm 60 years old and would love to get it done soon however I am worried about the pmr and if I may get a reaction or flare up. After my hip surgery I had a really bad flare up and don't want to go there again.  Has anyone go t any opinions? 

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    I had two surgeries in 2 weeks, one in Nov and the other in Dec. One was foot surgery and the other one was a hysterectomy and rectocele surgery. The anesthesiologist gave me a hydrocortisone shot both times. I feel great. I just dropped my dosage from 7.5 to 5 mg yesterday.

    I personally don't see you having an issue since it's only a tattoo. Stress typically causes my flares. Go have fun! Enjoy the moment.

    • Posted

      "it's only a tattoo"

      A tattoo is repeated needle sticks which are invasive and each perforation represents a point at which bacteria can enter. Not just at the time they are done, which is relatively safe providing the operator is adhering to all the hygiene regulations, but it becomes an open wound which then has to heal over the following weeks:

      "Because tattooing is essentially making thousands of tiny wounds in the skin, the body's immune system goes into overdrive, sending special blood cells called macrophages to the site of the tattoo to engulf the foreign ink particles. This is part of the body's attempt to clean up and it's also the reason tattoos fade over time, but it also plays a part in making tattoos permanent.Once a macrophage consumes an ink particle, it goes back through the lymphatic highway and brings the consumed particles to the liver for excretion. But other macrophages don't make it back to the lymph nodes. Instead, these blood cells stay in the dermis, and the ink particles they've eaten continue to remain visible."

      The surface skin sloughs off and then forms a scab - and if you already heal poorly because of pred, it will take longer, extending the period of time that bacteria can enter.

      A tattoo isn't just on the surface - to be permanent the ink needs to below the epidermis (the outer skin layers that shed in the form of dead cells all the time) and into the dermis - where there are blood vessels. As the quote above says, that means the immune system sends white cells to the site and the particles of ink get all over the body, not just locally. An allergic reaction cannot be ruled out. 

      I know, I know - I'm a party-pooper. But getting an infection or reaction is an even bigger party pooper. It won't just hurt - it could be dangerous.

  • Posted

    Well personally I would err on the side of caution preferring not to take the risk of getting a wound infection.
  • Posted

    don't forget the pred side effects on skin,

    risk is likelihood and consequences. Likelihood of something going wrong or an adverse reaction is possibly low. Consequences if something does go wrong are possibly high severity.

    Probably won't happen, but if it does it will hurt lots.

  • Posted

    No things/all things on this site are stupid!😏.  PMR I mean!   However, all questions/answers are received with interest.

    This one interests me.  Tattoo on your finger?  Now I have heard some very odd places for tattoos, but never on a finger.  May I/we know what type of tattoo?

    Personally I agree with Mrs O.  I wouldn't want to upset the apple cart!

    • Posted

      The tattoo on the finger would be to cover up a letter "K" which stands for my ex husbands name which I did myself at the age of 15 years old.  I wanted to cover it up with a tiny fairie.  Thank you for the comment I just may leave it as it is, it's just not worth the risk. 

       

    • Posted

      By the way!  You can always put a plaster over the K and block your husband out that way (when you go out).  Or, if anyone asks, you could say it was for 'Kitten',  after all you were only very young when you did it.😃😃
    • Posted

      Haha your right, plaster it is then until I find a ring to cover it, thank you. 
  • Posted

    The primary problem with tattoos is that it opens the skin and leaves it very exposed to infection even if the operator is skilled, registered, uses outstanding hygiene and anything else you can think of. Have you had a tattoo since you did your teenage one? Afterwards the area becomes crusted as it heals - and if you already heal poorly because of pred it will take longer, which extends the period of risk for infection.

    There is also the question of the inks - they contain colouring and some people can have an allergic reaction. Our immune system is already haywire so you might have problems there as well.

    What about a ring designed to hide it? I'm assuming the tattoo is on the joint nearest to your hand?

    • Posted

      Thank you Eileen,  I take your point about the inks, also taking longer to heal. I haven't had any more tattoos since my teenage years.  It's just a small "K" almost on the knuckle. 

      I have decided to leave the tattoo and take your advice on looking at a ring.  

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