title: [Tattoos--what the physician needs to know?].
abstract: During the last 20 years needle tattooing has gained great popularity in the Western countries. However, introduction of color pigments or dyes into the skin is not harmless. Local skin problems may be manifested as inflammation, hypersensitivity to dyes, benign or malignant tumors or onset of chronic diseases on tattooed skin areas. Needle tattooing also predisposes to rare but potential blood-borne infections such as hepatitis C and bacterial sepsis. Anyone having a severe primary disease or being under immunosuppressive medication should be aware of the health risks of tattooing.
authors.affiliation: HYKS, iho- ja allergiasairaala.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kluger
authors.forename: Virve
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koljonen
authors.forename: Annamari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranki
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents