Tattoos

[Sguerrero]

I was told I have autoimmune hepatitis is it possible to get a tattoo

[jenniwren]

It is a decision you need to weigh up. Having a tattoo carries risk for anyone. With a suppressed immune system, it carries more risk.

I have 4 small tattoos and have had auto immune hepatitis since I was 13. I thought long and hard about each one and researched the tattoo place to make sure it was 100% legit and safe to go to. If you are going to go ahead, check that the tattoo artist is safe and that the studio is spotless. Make sure that they ALWAYS use fresh equipment- not just because you have asked them to.

If you are recently diagnosed or on quite a large dose of immuno-suppression, it might be worth leaving it for a while until the dose of meds is lowered.

All the best

[RodeoJoe]

I've had a transplant , so I'm on immuno suppressants, I was told no tattoo's.

But I was also told no runny yolk eggs or less than well done beef. It's precaution to reduce the chance of an attack on the immune system. But I do eat the above and been fine, if I got food poisoning then it might not be so good.

Same with the tattoo, if you don't get any infections then that's fine, but if you do, then the chances are it would be worse than for a "normal" person.

Like jenniwren say's if you decide to go ahead make sure its a reputable clean place.

[jimfearnley]

I can't see why not, as your hepatitis is not viral?

I would recommend for your own safety to check that any tattoo artist/parlour that you would like to use follows universal hygiene measures, so as to ensure you are not exposed to the risk of contracting any blood-bourne viruses.

[Gemma68]

I asked a similar question about three years ago

healthunlocked.com/britishl...

In the end I got one but that was only after I'd seen the studio and the artist etc etc etc. It's a risk that you have to decide whether to take. I've had AIH since 2011 and it was a couple of years after diagnosis when things had calmed down a bit that I decided to get a new tat. My main piece of advice would be to TALK to your tattoo artist beforehand, explain about the AIH and that you have a suppressed immune system and are more prone to infection etc, they should be able to accommodate your circumstances if they are any good.

One thing he did say to me was that the red ink is apparently more likely to cause problems than any other, so might be worth thinking about and asking your tat artist about.