IVs and Tattoos

[memyers]

With tattoos being so popular, I'm looking for tips on finding veins on arms/hands covered with colorful tattoos.

[Rebekulous]

Feel for your veins, don't try to just see them. I'll usually also mark the skin once I find one, with a pen/sharpie, so that even after I clean the site I know where that vein is (since you should be touching after you've scrubbed...)

[harvestmoon, RN]

i've been a phleb for a little over a year. you can also use the alcohol wipe corner (diamond orientation) to mark the vein.

[carti, BSN, RN]

I've seen this in the ICU and it sucks when you have an ex rockstar tatted up entirely.

best bet is to get a machine that can see the veins through the skin; I don't know if your hospital has one of those but its so nice to have.

[onemoreday, BSN, RN]

I've seen this in the ICU and it sucks when you have an ex rockstar tatted up entirely.

best bet is to get a machine that can see the veins through the skin; I don't know if your hospital has one of those but its so nice to have.

I've used one of those vein finders in tatted skin and it's helpful but only gets you so far, especially if the tattoo is very patterned. It doesn't give you much in terms of depth.

Definitely try to feel for the vein. Feel the bounce. And be confident: obviously this is someone who has no fear of needles!