Tattoo concern

[dazed&confused8]

I recently got a tattoo at a pretty reputable place. I was watching the artist put together the gun, etc., before he called me over to the workplace. I saw him open a brand new needle to put in the gun, but I also realized that he was handling the needle with his bare hands. Also, once he opened the needle, he was attempting to bend it, I guess to make sure it's hard enough to withstand the gun. He did all of this with this bare hands. I didn't see him wash his hands before hand. Now I'm concerned about getting some sort of an infection, especially Heptatitis C. Is this a legitimate worry on my behalf or am I making too much of it.

Also, today I noticed that the skin surrounding my tattoo is a little on the yellowish side...the sort of yellow I usually get on my skin if it's been bruised. Is this normal, or an early sign of infection?

[Marcia2202]

?????????

[dazed&confused8]

Why don't you guys stop hijacking my thread and take it somewhere else!

[medicmommy]

(((((((((((((((((((HUGZ))))))))))))))))))))...You are both in my prayers...For one, thanking God you have been placed on this Earth and reach out to others with kindness, for the other, may you find inner peace and happiness in small things...              ~Melinda

[meki]

Have a great day Stanleycup - I sincerely hope you start feeling better.

[meki]

Stanleycup - I'm truly sorry for your health. I hope that you find your peace.

I'm also sorry you feel that "I" am a serial poster. I try very hard to keep what I think is a morbid and horrible disease from destroying my spirit - and those of others. Happiness, no matter the progression of this disease is the most key element. Because whether you can destroy it or not - if you're not happy, life truly matters not - at least not to me.

A lot of times - the answers here ARE repetitive. The same questions get asked over and over again because people haven't taken the time to read... How can they? They are in a panic about themselves and terrified they are dying right this instant... Yanno?

The info is available... But this is a forum and not a Medical Abstract for only information. This is - before everything else - a community.

I'm sure I don't have to explain what a community is or does to you...

I'm sorry you feel that my posting does not make life easier for you - instead it bothers you. Or that it irritates you and you felt it necessary to "sarcastically make fun of me".

I don't want you to NOT comment - however, HURTING people is not going to help anyone... including yourself. Being angry certainly isn't going to do you or your disease any good either.

I hope you know that others ARE affected by what you say and do - I WAS - and as that IS your intention... to MAKE FUN of someone or something --- I suggest gently that perhaps before you find your information about your disease - that you find your peace within yourself.

[meki]

dazed --- don't take it personally- I think EVERYONE should test every 2 years.

But it's not financially realistic for everyone.

I think a lot of problems would be stopped if they knew ahead of time they had HCV...

It took doctors 2 years and LOTS of money wasted on a lot of tests before they gave me a HEP panel --- which would have solved everything --- a lot sooner... In fact when they finally gave me the test it was almost a relief that there REALLY was something there... LOL!

Anyhow --- don't panic --- In your mentioned incident --- probably no chance of exposure... TO HCV - I'm not a biologist, chemist or doctor... but logically - there doesn't seem to be a LOT for a mode of transmission.

So - all in all - I believe you should get tested --- but I don't think this incident is a major point of transmission. YANNO?

Sigh -- -it's ok if you're confused --- LMAO - me too. It's really late...

Hugs to ya.

Meki

[dazed&confused8]

The more I read your posts, the more I keep thinking that you actually think I have a reson to test. The question I have is whether I'm overeacting or whether I have reasonable cause to test

[medicmommy]

Hello D&C8...Maybe this will ease your mind...I've been a Paramedic for 22 years...in that time, i have been exposed to hep c multiple times, but not until I was actually stuck with a blood-filled needle, did I actually contract it...If it will make you stress less, get a full physical, and a hep c test at the same time...Hep c is pretty difficult to get...There's new research numbers coming out that are saying, the higher the amount of hep c in a person's system, the more contagious they are...so, unless your tattoo needle had direct contact with his blood,(as in just used on him or another person) it is highly unlikely you've gotten it...Even if he had active hep c...                           ~Melinda      

Meki, I happen to enjoy your posts...You keep the forum light hearted, and that is much needed to those of us who get the doldrums while going through treatment...  ((((HUGZ)))))        

[meki]

I think 50 days is probably adequate - however, I've been under the understanding that 90 days is the appropriate marker.

I also believe HEP B falls into this marker.

And if you have not already - my suggestion to everyone is to get the HEPB vaccine - that way you won't get HEPB.

I'm not a big drinker - and most folks that are actively trying to live a liver healthy lifestyle which doesn't include alcohol - so - that's something that you'll have to determine on your own. I'm not too sure that alcohol is a great thing - but then I look at it through different lenses than most folks because of what I do for a profession.

However, that being said - I've seen studies where alcohol consumption in mild degrees can be healthy for those that are healthy.

I'm glad you're going to get tested. Much luck.

Let us know how you do!

Meki

[dazed&confused8]

Thanks to everyone.  I can't shake my fear from this situation. I don't know why the guy didn't use a glove while handling the needle bar...although I'd assume he wouldn't touch the needle itself, but I can't be too sure.  I will probably test for peace of mind.  Is a 50 day antibody test conclusive for Hep C?  How about Hep B?

I do drink quite a lot during the week.  Should I stop, or am I overreacting?

[Marcia2202]

Like everybody has said, it seems very unlikely that you contracted hep c from the tattoo you are referring to. If you are really so afraid that you may have contracted Hep C, I would advise you to to wait until 50 days (max length of incubation period) from the date you had the tattoo done and get yourself checked for Hep C. That is the ONLY way you can know. By the way, I would advice anyone to check for Hep C and Hep B.

Good luck, Marcia

P.S. Please just leave Meki alone. Even if she wanted to post 10 million times a week, there is no limitation on posting in this forum. And we like to read her posts. It's always a fresh wind...

[Tommy420]

Wow...my thread really got hijacked, didn't it?  So is the consensus here that I don't need to worry about Heptatitis?  As for bacterial infections, there are no signs of it (i.e., redness, swelling, discharge, pain).  My main concern is hepatitis and other blood borne viruses.  Any info would be appreciated.

[jdwithhcv]

I've looked at all your posts.  You have never yet posted anything helpful or useful to anybody on this forum, or anything remotely related to Hep C.  You don't ask questions about Hep C, or share your knowledge or make ANY intelligent contribution. Your only posts have been rude, hurtful remarks aimed at one of this forum's most knowledgeable, helpful, generous contributors.  What on earth is your point?  Got too much time on your hands?  Get a different hobby, fer chrissakes, this one is meanspirited and pathetic.  This forum is a place for people struggling with a serious disease and miserable treatment to exchange ideas, information and support.  Your posts are of no use to anybody and they expose your character - not in a good way.

[Marcia2202]

I don't know what happened, but I can assure you that you are one of the sweetest, nicest, compassionate and helpful people I've come across, in cyberspace and in day to day life.  And I know many good people. You have a good heart and you're positive and have a great sense of humor on top of that... So whatever anyone says, don't let it even get anywhere close to you.  Only someone either hurting or a plain 'hater', could come up with bad things about you.

Hugs,

Marcia

[meki]

Not a problem Susie - it's all cool...

Remember - not everyone can handle HCV, the treatment - the sides or even the knowledge of it --- and it makes them very unhappy... And often unhappy folks need to hurt others...

So yeah - it hurt my feelings - but I'm not upset... If that makes any sense at all. And I hope that stanleycup very much is alright and not going through something very difficult that none of us can understand.

Yanno - To be hurting that much to put someone down, has to be hard on a person. So I don't take it too hard... Just kind of one of those --- oooh... I'm sorry - didn't mean to bother you kind of feelings for a moment --- and then --- wow - hope they're ok afterwards kinda thing.

So no worries - but super thank you for thinking of me. It means a lot to me that you would mention it. :-D

Meki

[JennyPenny]

Rude, mean, disrespectful and methinks you must be quite unhappy with yourself to do that to someone else.

I'm sorry for stanleycup's ugly behavior, meki.

Susie

[jdwithhcv]

Bad form, honey.

[meki]

As posted in a "note" to you.

I hope that you're having a nice day and that all is well in your life. Sorry you feel the need to be a bit sarcastic, and to hide behind a personna... I enjoy helping out... If you're out to hurt my feelings - then know that you actually have already --- and I'm really sorry you feel the need to put that kind of negative energy into a post --- just to "punch" someone online. Regardless, I hope that things work out for you. ----- Meki

[JennyPenny]

What you are describing is bruising, not jaundice. First of all, jaundice is not a common thing with hepatitis C patients. Secondly, jaundice is a yellowing of the mucous membranes not the skin. You see jaundice first in the inside of the mouth and the whites of the eyes. You are overthinking this and are not at risk from what you describe. However, get tested because I have a feeling you won't relax until you do and why spend time wondering?

[meki]

Jenny - YOU ARE SOOOOO RIGHT about the cost...

BUT IT SHOULDN'T COST that much.

If more folks did it - it would demand that the tests become cheaper. Big hint there...

:-D

Meki

[dazed&confused8]

Yes, the artist wore gloves during the procedure, and he even went as far as to not pick up his cell phone when it rang while he was giving me the tattoo.  Also, the ink was poured into a small inkpot. Thus the only concern I have is that he touched the needle with his bare hands while he was assembling the needle gun.  I"m not sure if that's a standard practice b/c it might be hard to assemble the gun with gloves on, but my biggest concern is what if he had a cut on his hand, or if his own hands were dirty and he touched the needle which pierced my skin.  I know it might be a far fetch to some of you here, but does this warrant me getting tested?

I guess my big concern is due to the fact that the skin around my tattoo has a yellowish tint to it, and I know jaundice can be a symptom of Hep C, but probably not so quickly (I got my tattoo 2 days ago).  Also, the yellow skin can be due to bruising like Meki said, or perhaps the A&D ointment I'm using?

[JennyPenny]

The only problem with your suggestion of everyone getting a hep panel every two years. besides being overkill, is the cost. It is not like a diabetes panel which costs pennies and is a disease anyone is at risk for. People who are not at high risk of hep C do not need a test every 2 years.

Also, the gloves and sterile needles are not the only way to protect people getting tats. The ink should be put in small inkpots and thrown out after one person's use.

[meki]

The yellow bruising is normal.

You should have asked that he put on gloves while touching the implements - but the chances are pretty minimal - especially if he wore gloves (MANDATORY) during the tattoo process.

I would be more afraid of just getting a basic infection from bacteria with that than anything else.

I would talk to him - so that he does not do that again with any customers. -- However - he may have used an antiseptic with the needle - or on himself prior to implementing the item.

Keep an eye on your skin - if it becomes more reddened or inflamed please visit a doctor for possible infection.

However - HEPC is probably out of your realm of worry --- that doesn't mean it couldn't have happened. But is probably UNLIKELY - especially if he is using all the proper equipment and items like an autoclave - new needles - fresh ink that is disposable - etc.

STILL  --- on that note --- I believe EVERYONE should get a HEP panel every 2 years -- just like a diabetes check.

Meki