CONTENT WARNING: The following story contains graphic imagery of an infected tattoo. If you’ve got a weak stomach, or if you’d just rather not see some gory content on this fine Thursday afternoon, click out.
When you get inked, you’re generally given a few aftercare rules to abide by.
Leave the bandage your tattoo artist applies to your skin for 2 to 6 hours after the procedure. Be gentle with your tattoo and wash with warm water and antibacterial soap. Don’t scratch your tattoo, no matter how itchy it gets.
A good, solid tattoo artist will also suggest you don’t go swimming for two weeks after getting needled.
There are two reasons for this. First, exposing your tatt to too much water can draw the ink out of your skin and alter its intended appearance. Second, your tattoo is effectively an open wound. The water in pools and the ocean can carry dirt and other nasties that can sneak into your tattoo and give you a ripe infection.
While most people are pretty conscientious with their aftercare, others are a little looser with the rules. While some can get away with this scot-free, for others, it can cost them their life.
The British Medical Journal has released a report which details the death of a 31-year-old man with a heavy drinking habit, who caught a dangerous bacterial infection via his tattoo while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.
The unnamed man suffered septic shock and cellulitis after he reportedly swam in the sea just five days after getting a cross tattooed on his right calf.
His tattoo became infected. From this, he developed a fever and serious rash. When his condition deteriorated two days later, he was sent to hospital where doctors saw patches on his leg had turned a bruised purple colour.
Medics immediately suspected the Vibrio vulnificus infection, more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria. This gnarley virus is a rapidly progressive gangrene which causes pain, swelling and redness, often in the space of a few hours.
Tragically, the 31-year-old’s drinking habits had weakened his liver, making him more vulnerable to infections.
The man’s organs began to fail within 24 hours and he was placed on a life support machine. He died in hospital of septic shock two months later.
“Despite aggressive initial treatment, the patient developed septic shock and died,” the BMJ report reads.“This case highlights the association of chronic liver disease and high mortality associated with infections of V. vulnificus. Health providers should remain vigilant for V. vulnificus infections in patients with chronic liver disease and raw oyster ingestion or seawater exposure.”
A tragic but sobering reminder to avoid the water and the oysters post-tattoo, no matter how appealing they both may seem.
Source: BMJ.
Photo: BMJ.
