Why Can’T You Donate Blood After A Tattoo?
– The American Red Cross require a 12-month waiting period after receiving a tattoo in an unregulated facility before a person can donate blood. This is due to the risk of hepatitis. Hepatitis is a type of liver inflammation. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are highly contagious and potentially deadly, especially for people with serious health issues.
- A person can contract these forms of hepatitis after coming into contact with blood that contains it;
- This may occur during or as a result of blood donation;
- It can take up to 6 months for a person to develop symptoms of hepatitis after exposure;
This waiting period of 12 months is longer than the hepatitis incubation period, so it ensures that a person with the disease does not donate blood and inadvertently transmit the virus to someone else. People who get tattoos in regulated and licensed facilities do not need to wait to give blood.
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Can You give Blood if you have a tattoo?
– If you have a tattoo, you can only donate blood if you meet certain criteria. A good rule of thumb is that you may not be able to give blood if your tattoo is less than 3 months old. This goes for piercings and all other nonmedical injections on your body, too.
Introducing ink, metal, or any other foreign material into your body affects your immune system and may expose you to harmful viruses. This can affect what’s in your bloodstream, especially if you got your tattoo somewhere that isn’t regulated or doesn’t follow safe practices.
If there’s a chance that your blood has been compromised, the donation center won’t be able to use it. Keep reading to learn about the eligibility criteria, where to find a donation center, and more.
Can you donate blood after getting a piercing?
– You often can’t donate blood for 3 months after getting a piercing , either. Like tattoos, piercings can introduce foreign material and pathogens into your body. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can be contracted through blood contaminated by a piercing.
There’s a catch to this rule, too. Though many states regulate facilities that provide piercing services, there are specific rules regarding eligibility based on the equipment used. If your piercing was performed with a single-use gun or needle at a state-regulated facility, you should be able to donate blood.
If the gun was reusable — or you’re not absolutely sure that it was single-use — you shouldn’t give any blood until 3 months have passed.
Can I donate a tattoo?
Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation. A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable.
Can you get Hepatitis B from a tattoo?
One of the way it could transmit is through blood to blood contact. So if the tattoo facility doesn’t regulate sterile needles and ink that is not reused, there is a high probability of Hepatitis. Read more about eligibility for blood donation: Blood Donor Eligibility: Medications & Health.
