No injections through a tattoo?

[cayenne06]

So I had a patient today, getting a depo shot. She had a sleeve tattoo, and said that the last person who gave her her shot told her that it couldn't be injected through a tattoo. I guess there is a risk of a small scar causing a cosmetic problem with the tattoo, but I couldn't find any source that talked about the dangers of injecting through a tattoo. I found some discussion about ink being carried into deeper tissues by the needle, but that seems roundly debunked.

Is this a thing? I don't think it is, but thought I would see if anyone else had any thoughts.

[klone, MSN, RN]

And it's not, as evidenced by the fact that many anesthesiologists don't have any problems doing an epidural over a back tat. There's no scientific basis behind the idea that it's dangerous

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

We cut through tats all he time in the OR.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

AFAIK, spinals and epidurals are done using stiletted needles and the stilet is not removed till the needle passes the skin. The technique was, again AFAIK, introduced after there were reported cases of dermoid-like tumors growing from skin cells introduced into spinal channel.

I would be kind of concerned if medication could potentially destroy the tattoo because of scarring or lipodistrophy development, but otherwise some foljs would have really hard time finding place for a shot.

[aglass0714]

I must know where your quote comes from.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

It's because its hard to see adverse reactions/skin integrity issues etc. if you inject over a tattoo.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I always wondered why you couldn't give the depo shot elsewhere. No one seems to know.

[klone, MSN, RN]

applesxoranges said:

I always wondered why you couldn't give the depo shot elsewhere. No one seems to know.

You can. You can give it anywhere it's acceptable to give an I'm injection.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I guess it is hard to see the site you're giving the shot in. Same goes for IVs. One guy had tattoos all over, and I had to get another nurse to start an IV with an ultrasound. He put the IV in Darth Vader's face.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Quote

I guess it is hard to see the site you're giving the shot in. .

You don't need to be able to see the underlying skin when giving an I'm. You use landmarks that are FELT, not seen.

[StudentBSN1]

There is absolutely no contraindication with injectables/IV's and tattoos. The ink becomes one with the skin. It is not simply on top of it like drawing on yourself with an ink pen.

A fresh tattoo should be avoided if possible, the skin is raw because the epidermis is temporarily compromised.

[hawaiicarl, BSN, RN]

klone said:

And it's not, as evidenced by the fact that many anesthesiologists don't have any problems doing an epidural over a back tat. There's no scientific basis behind the idea that it's dangerous

Holy mackeral can you imagine all the pregnant patients who would suffer due to no epidural through their tramp stamp? The horrors!

Cheers

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

hawaiicarl said:

Holy mackeral can you imagine all the pregnant patients who would suffer due to no epidural through their tramp stamp? The horrors!

Cheers

I just spit my water all over my computer screen.. LOL. Thank you for that great laugh on such a meh Thursday!