save a life avoid tattos

Blood donation is a life-saving act which helps in improving one’s health condition. Anyone who gives blood during emergency are applauded for their selfless act that has the ability to enhance the lives of up to three recipients at a time.

But there may be reasons wherein you will be denied of an opportunity to donate blood to their own family during emergencies and the reason is “shocking”.

The reason for this is their “new tattoo” that can affect the blood donation. The reason for this denial is a precaution against cross-contamination & diseases like hepatitis, HIV etc. For this reason Blood banks recommend waiting of 6 to 12 months to allow the tattoo’s design to properly heal.

It is always important to check that the artist uses sealed needles before getting any work done mainly to avoid blood borne diseases which may spread by needles. The blood donated by such people carries the risk of being infection & other diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C and in rare cases HIV. Studies have revealed that there are 10-30 per cent chances of transfusion of hepatitis B virus infection through infected needles.

And in many of the blood banks, a tattoo is acceptable in blood donation if it was applied by a state-regulated or from licensed tattoo shop using sterile needles and ink that is not reused.

Many people are in misconception that after getting a tattoo, you can’t donate blood for lifetime which is not true. After getting a tattoo, you cannot donate blood, but only for a limited time which varies from country to country like in India you cannot donate blood for 6 months and once u finish it, if you are a healthy person, you should consider donating blood on a regular basis & can save lives.