My rheumatologist mentioned I might need steroid injections into my feet/toes specifically (guided by ultrasound).
I have a large foot tattoo (well, I have fairly small feet but tattoo is across a fairly large proportion). She said they'd inject just beside it. I'm quite anxious about damaging my tattoo. Tattoo was done in 2016 before I got RA and it's quite intricate.
Has anyone had steroid injections around tattooed skin? Any issues?
Photo is just an old one to show my tattoo.
Did your rheumy suggest there might be issues as it’s never been something suggested when I’ve had steroid injections and I’ve got quite a few covering lots of areas that I have had them. Never had any problems with them. The only time they’ve been queried is having an MRI as apparently they can heat up but I’ve not had that. 🤞🏻 yours works.
When the pain in bad and you need steroid injections I’m not sure why you’d worry about a tattoo. At the end of the day the needle is fine so how could it affect your tattoo. I hope the injection works and your pain free soon.
Thanks. Rheumy said it would be fine but I wanted reassurance from tattooed people more than medical people.
As to the reason I care, my tattoo is very sentimental to me and if it were at risk I would prefer a different treatment approach.
I was also very anxious for my first feet MRIs incase that caused cosmetic damage but it was fine.
I promise you that when your feet really hurt sentiment is secondary to being unable to walk and I speak from experience. I think your extremely lucky if you are able to think about another choice as I’ve had the operation instead of injections which sadly sometimes don’t work anyway but the scars are minimal and on my instep plus tiny ones at the base of my toes. Really painful feet are dreadful and do impact so negatively on life that if your given the opportunity to stop the pain take it.
I’ve had steroid injections in my ankle and the injection doesn’t leave a mark ,if that helps
I’ve had steroid injections in my ankles knees and toes and it’s not left any marks. Xx
I have had quite a few injections in my feet and they leave no mark, they do it with ultrasound to find the right place. I’ve also had X-ray guided injections and the only mark is the tiny pen mark that they use mark the spot - don’t worry, be thankful you are getting the injection. I hope it works and improves your feet.
I had 2 injections right in a tattoo - thought it was being used for target practice! For me there was no change to the ink, the design or any issues at all, bar the great reduction in pain. Go for it 
Thank you - this post is exactly what I need for feeling confident
Thank you all.I have a vague memory of waking up in intensive from a coma due to head injury the year before I developed RA. I had a lot of tubes going in/out my body and canular in both hands and right foot. I recall the nurses saying they selected that foot due to the tattoo on other foot, because they can scar... but those must have been much thicker canular tubes. Even in my very bad state I was incredibly grateful my tattoo was unharmed. The nurse said most patients with tattoo appreciate this and I certainly did. I got my tattoo in memory of my best friend who sadly died and it has his initial on it so that's the reason it means so much to me. I'm reassured to hear the needles for the foot injections are small (else I'd stick to tramadol plus bum injection) so will give it ago. Many thanks for the responses x
Cannulas are indwelling lines of varying sizes they can be in for up to 3 days (generally) prior to getting changed, some stay in longer. They can leave a small scar on some people.
The injection is entirely different and I'd done with a gone needle. It may bleed a tiny bit as any injection might, but it shouldn't scar.
I've not given any steroid injections but I have given a multitude of injections to people of various types, including local anaesthetic in order to suture a wound. I've never heard of a scar from an injection, cannula yes, but not injection. Best of luck.
Hey, the injection just goes in, you might get bruising but there’s no damage to the skin permanently. No idea why he/she has made a big deal of it really. I wouldn’t care if the infected through one of nine as I’ve had them in my hand before and there’s no evidence of the actual puncture wound after a few days
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