Getting a tattoo. Is it OK? | Arthritis Information

O.K. Im thinking of getting a small tatoo on my ankle. I am on 10MG of MTX /enbrel once a week and I think there should be no problem. Has anyone here gotten a tattoo while on medication.

Not me!

I guess you could call your Rheumy but it should be alright I would think. Tell us about the tattoo.

Yes...I did while on Plaquenil. Had no problem. But I don't know if I would while on MTX. Not sure about the healing time.

Not sure about the traditional meds - but I'd be darn sure it was all disposable needles and new ink pots. Heard all the reputable parlors moved to that but I'd just be double sure.

Pip

Lisa,

Did you get a little BLUE star? [QUOTE=RAJay]

Lisa,

Did you get a little BLUE star?

It just reminds me of Steve-O getting a tattoo while riding a dune buggy

Yea, Arriscolwell, hope he has it mild.
Linncn, Thanks for the reply. I went ahead and talked to a guy on the phone at a tattoo place not too far from my house. He seemed to know what he was talking about and he does a lot of custom work. He spoke to me about taking care of the tattoo after and making sure I keep it very clean. Asked me if I was on Coumadin to, ( I'm not thank God) I think he knows what he is doing.
I am looking for maybe a small butterfly or maybe not I'm not sure. But however, me and my little sister are going to get the same one on the same day.
My little sister is 57 and I am 60. It's time for us to do something different and fun.

I have gotten two tattoos since being diagnosed with RA. The first time I was on MTX and Humira, the second time I was on MTX and Enbrel. Both times I was also taking prednisone too. I didn't have any problems...

LynnLynn4939314.5698958333

Re the tattoo: Quite frankly, speaking on the conservative side, I have seen tattoos immediately after they are given and even for the healthy person, there is a chance of infection.

I hate to be a mother type and preach. But, have you read the serious side effects of these TNF drugs? The worst is SEPSIS. That is a bacterial or viral infection, such as what you could get from this tattoo!!

My brother nearly died of sepsis, he was laid up for two years, but young enough to fight it. My mother did die of sepsis and all she had was an intubation in the hospital. My god, SEPSIS!! read about sepsis, then read about ENBREL REMICADE and HUMIRA. I am even afraid to get a small cut that could get infected and you are having an invasionary procedure?

DID YOU ALSO KNOW THAT you should be taking antiobiotics an hour before any invasionary procedure, EVEN HAVING YOUR TEETH CLEANED, WHICH ACCORDING TO MY DENTIST, THIS WEEK, when I got the script, is the worst time to get a bacterial invasion.

I keep an extra AMOXICILLIN script in my pocket in case I have to have some emergency done. I am deadly serious. These are heavy duty drugs we are taking.

Joanne

There is a risk of infection for ANYONE getting a tattoo. However, if you go to a GOOD tattoo shop, and you follow their instructions to the T, and call them any time you have a question, the risk is quite low. It's a personal choice really, like drinking alcohol, there are risks, but if you do it right.......9 times outa 10 you're fine.

You know a good and sneaky way to test a tattoo artist? Ask them "what would you think about getting a tattoo here?" and pick a spot where you have a little bit of broken skin, or a very dominant mole. A good tattoo artist will go into a lecture about proper tattooing and how you can't go over blemishes and broken skin. :)

Thinkthin -

You are your sis are Cool!

Joanne - really good point. Maybe they could get an Amoxicillan script and do the same. My dentist has me do the same because of a heart murmer.

Pip