Tattoo Safety

Swimming after ink can be dangerous

It wasn’t all that long ago that tattoos were rarely seen. Now they are increasingly common on people from all walks of life. That’s as true here in Texarkana as other places in the world. And opinions vary. Some love tattoos. Some aren’t quite so keen.

It’s a personal choice. But if you decide to get some ink—or some more ink—it also means being aware of potential risk.

For example, according to an article last week in the BMJ Case Reports medical journal, a Texas man, 31, decided to go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico about five days after getting a new tattoo.

Since the tattoo had not healed it was an easy target for bacteria, in this case Vibrio vulnificus, which can cause a number of pretty scary problems, including septic shock and necrosis—the dreaded “flesh eating” condition that can result in amputations. About 25 percent of those infected die.

Including the Texas man. He became ill and was hospitalized. He already had a chronic liver condition and that made the infection even more dangerous. He died about two months after being hospitalized.

Tattoo artists warn their clients not to swim or take a tub bath until the tattoo heals. That could be three weeks or longer, according to some professional sources.

But do their clients always listen? This man didn’t. And as summer comes the urge to display new ink in a bathing suit may unwisely outweigh caution.

Resist the urge. Showers and approved tattoo cleaning methods are fine. But no ocean, no lake, no river, no pool, no hot tub, not even a bathtub until the site is healed completely. And if there is any doubt, ask a tattoo professional.

It’s the kind of thing that no one thinks will happen to them. Including that unfortunate man from Texas.