Tattoos cause allergies?

Our skin is a canvas and the tattoos tell our stories, no matter how much we love having them they come with certain complications. A new side-effect has come into the limelight. Scientists have discovered recently that tattoos can cause allergic reactions and the study says that the tattoo needles are to be blamed partly for this even the ‘clean’ ones. According to previous studies, it was found that the tattoo inks had amounts of nickel, chromium, cobalt, and mercury that cause allergic reactions upon transporting to the lymph nodes. Now, to that, the metal of the needle also adds up.  After analyzing twelve steel needles they found out that all of them contained nickel and chromium. The scientists examined the needles with an electron microscope and discovered that these needles contained chromium and nickel. Microscopic bits of nickel and chromium abraded from the needles after the tattooing session. The use of titanium dioxide used to brighten the colors of tattoo inks is the cause of this problem that erodes the needles. Although the black ink, when used alone, does not show any signs of abrasions. Ines Schreiver of the German Federal Institute for Risk Protection, the lead author of the report in Particle and Fibre Toxicology said,

“We cannot quantify the risk that comes with these particles. But in general, be aware that there might be risks with tattoos, a lot of impurities that might be allergenic or carcinogenic. People should be aware and make informed decisions about whether they want to take the risk.” 

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