Eye Tattoos...gross

As I was getting a little more information on tattoos for my last blog, I came across something that kind of grossed me out, so I thought I should share it with you. You can actually get tattoos on your eyes. Yes, the whites of your eyes. Traditionally this was only done by doctors on patients who had suffered a scratch or scar on the cornea and needed color put back into thier eye. Most doctors will not do this; it is a rarity. However, there are tattoo artists now who will do this for anyone who wants it done. They can color in the whites of your eyes by putting ink into the cornea. This was attempted with a tattoo gun but the ink would not stay in the eye. So, they dilute the ink and inject it into your eye with a different sized needle and syringe.

I think this is pretty gross, and I don't know why you would want your eyes to be colored. Not to mention this probably hurts a lot. I can't imagine what it must feel like to have needles poked into my eyes repeatedly. It is very dangerous too. There are many risks involved including hemorrhaging, infections, and blindness. I know I would not want infections in my eyes. All this being said, I think eye tattoos are a pretty stupid idea. (I couldn't put up a picture of the needle going into the eyeball. It was too gross.)

(Dr. Positano, 2007)

To learn more about how gross this is visit:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07312007/entertainment/health/dont_turn_blind_eye_to_eye_tattoo_risks_health_dr__rock_positano.htm

Tattoos and Piercings

Tattoos and peircings are becoming more and more popular in our society. I bet you or someone you know has tattoos and peircings. As common as they are, many people forget about the health risks involved in getting a tattoo or a peircing. Tattoos and piercings break the skin barrier, making it very easy to contract disease or infection. Also, the inks used for tattoos are considered cosmetics, so they are not approved by the FDA. A substance goes into your body that has not been approved for injection.

There are many risks involved with tattoos especially. If needles are not clean or have not been properly sterilized, you can catch many blood-related diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus, and even HIV. Some people have allergic reactions to the ink, red ink in particular. It can cause itching, swelling, and blistering. You can also get granulomas, raised reddish bumps, around your tattoo. Other risks include baterical infections of the skin and raised scarring.

Even though there are many risks associated with body art, I am still a huge fan. I have tattoos and have never had a problem with them. It is important though to know your piercing and tattoo artist. Make sure you are going to a clean, professional place. Make sure that they are using new needles that have just been opened. And above all, take care of new body art. You can still get infections weeks after it has been done. If you are smart about it, you shouldn't have any problems with piercings or tattoos.

For more on tattoos: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020