Infectious complications of permanent tattoos: The skin out of law. Part I

Abstract

Puncturing the skin with a tattoo needle damages the immunological and physical barrier. This facilitates the entry of pathogenic microorganisms and the risk of suffering infectious complications. The circumstances around the procedure, sanitary conditions and biosecurity standards are determinants of this risk; however, it is a practice with surveillance and control challenges due to the existing regulatory gap. Because of the significant rise in decorative tattoos among contemporary society, there has been an increase in complications, some are mild and usually resolve on their own, but there are others that leave sequelae and put the health of tattooed patient at risk. This review article includes main local tattooing regulations and epidemiological aspects, as well as dermatological manifestations of infections, their etiological classification, diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Keywords

• decree law
• dermatology
• infections
• tattooing
• ink