If your blood is low on iron, you may be advised to not donate blood for your own good. But there are some states that place ban on people with tattoos from donating blood. Why is this?
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If your blood is low on iron, you may be advised to not donate blood for your own good. But there are some states that place ban on people with tattoos from donating blood. Why is this?
The reason for this temporary deferral is the increased risk of Hepatitis B and other infections associated with tattoos and piercing. People with tattoos can present to donate blood if their tattoo was applied by a state-regulated parlour using sterile needles and ink that has not been reused. Those who receive tattoos in a state that does not regulate tattoo parlours must wait 12 months after receiving the tattoo to present to donate blood. There are lot of health concerns with tattoos and it is increasing too. In some states, you will not be allowed to donate blood at-least for 6 months, then your blood will be tested across many other diseases.
Tattoo needles pierce the skin. This is why thorough knowledge of blood-borne pathogens and scrupulous hygiene procedures are essential in an artist. All good artists are striving to avoid any and all possible infections in their work. But not all artists are good. Many countries do not regulate the tattoo industry. In those countries that do, what is acceptable practise in one is definitely not in another.
People who have tattoos cannot donate blood in most countries because even in a country with massive regulation and oversight of the industry, they might have gotten the tattoo off some non-hygienic individual on a night out, or from a lady in the Himalayas; there are myriad other reasons why they might be carrying pathogens. This has the potential to taint the country’s entire blood supply. It’s not worth the risk.