on your back you cant have an epidural ?? ive 2 tatos on my ack and have jus been told this. i freaking out !!
2006-12-15 01:56:31 · 27 answers · asked by Caz 4 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
I have one right across my lower back. I had my son 14 months ago, and when I asked my Dr. about it, he laughed and asked where I heard that. He said it's only if I got my tattoo in prision, because the inks availible in prisions have lead in them, and it can cause an infection.
2006-12-15 03:53:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a common question, as the popularity of tattoos has been recently increasing, and in particular the lower back seems to be a very common site. Although some anesthesiologists may be reluctant to perform an epidural directly through a tattoo, most of the time this can be done safely. It is always best to ask an anesthesiologist at your hospital to discuss this concern. However, there really is no evidence that inserting a needle through a tattoo will lead to any harm. According to an opinion stated by a pathologist in the SOAP (Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology newsletter:
“The tattoo pigments do not stay "loose" within the dermis or connective tissue, but are rapidly assimilated by macrophages during the healing process. Many of these pigment-laden macrophages stay in the dermis, and the dermis only, for the life of the tattooee. The amount of pigment that is used in the tattoo process is quite miniscule, also. The pigments are made of inert metal salts and different structures of a phenolphthalein base, and allergic problems are nearly nonexistent. You should have no concern whatsoever in placing a needle through a tattoo and into the spinal or epidural space, as the pigment particles are "fixed" and stationary within the dermis, and cannot be mobilized by the needle or migrate along the needle track. There is really no danger at all in inserting a needle through tattooed skin.
Further reading:
http://www.soap.org/media/newsletter_summer2001.pdf
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/exwc3.htm
Click below for the next item (Cesarean Delivery)
2006-12-15 10:28:57 · answer #2 · answered by xxxdancer2001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 on my back and I had an epidural when I had my baby. Unless they mean if you got one in the last 6 months.
2006-12-15 15:09:20 · answer #3 · answered by ~LYNZ~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a lower back tattoo and I had an epidural injected right into it. I was never told it wasn't ok.
I would suggest against epidurals anyway...they have many side effects such as chronic headaches (I NEVER use to get headaches and now I get them all the time) AND...it may cause death (worst case) there are others as well...do all the research you can.
2006-12-15 17:19:28 · answer #4 · answered by opposethenorm 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are circumstances where the risks of an epidural are higher than normal. These circumstances include: Large lower back tattoos (unless sufficient ink-free space is available)
i don't know why tho, seems ridiculas
2006-12-15 10:07:25 · answer #5 · answered by jesus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope not true. My sister has a tattoo on her back and she just got an epidural when she delivered my nephew. I guess it depends on when you got the tattoo. Her's was about 2 years old.
2006-12-15 10:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by angelonthesun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not true at all! I have a tattoo on the small of my back and they gave me an epidural with my daughter. It went right in the middle of my tattoo no problem!
2006-12-15 10:01:23 · answer #7 · answered by jenpoesavon 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, calm down. That shouldn't have an impact on wether or not you can get an epidural. That seems weird to me. Would you not be able to get one if you have a birthmark on your back??
I'm not a fan of tatoos, but it won't effect that at all.
2006-12-15 13:42:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
PubMed apparently did some research on this theory and concluded that there are no conclusions and no proof to substantiate this theory. [link=http://www.bmezine.com/risks/index.html]BME[/link] quickly dismisses this as an urban legend, but one pervasive enough that even doctors have been known to believe it. Tattooz.net's medical expert says, "The needle would go through the epidermis, dermis and into the areas where the anesthesia is infiltrated without difficulty", but wisely advises that anyone in this situation get personal professional advice from their own anesthesiologist.
2006-12-15 10:23:20 · answer #9 · answered by Jo K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure who told you that, but my mom has tattoos all over her (including her back), and she had an epidural with my sister a few years ago. So I would guess no? Hope that helps, good luck!
2006-12-15 09:59:28 · answer #10 · answered by lilirishale 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋