Is it True??

Question

I was told that you can't give blood if you have tattoos. Is that true and if so why?

Answer 1

One of the reasons for this is because of the increasing popularity of body art - if you've had a tattoo or piercing within the last year, you are not eligible to donate blood in most states, according to their rules.

Piercing Eligibility Guidelines
"Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use.
Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis."

Tattoo Eligibility Guidelines
"Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation."(American Red Cross website)
When you go to a blood bank to give plasma, they ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate. Obviously, they don't want to risk accepting contaminated blood, so they will ask about your sexual history, current health status and other related questions, including whether or not you have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last twelve months.

All blood that is donated is screened for diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments. However, it goes without saying that it is a waste of the blood bank's and the donor's time to harvest blood that is tainted and thus worthless. In order to avoid wasted time, they ask these questions to screen the potential donor. And although tattooing and piercing are much safer than some medical professionals like to indicate, there is still always a chance of getting and carrying a disease unknowingly. Especially Hepatitis, which has been the object of many heated arguments and stringent regulations.

If you should happen to contract a disease from a tattoo or piercing, it should show up in a screening after 12 months, which is the reason for the waiting period. Yes, maybe it's a little over-precautious, but would you want to be the one on the receiving end of dirty blood? If there is even a slight chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Regulated States
The only exception to the waiting period rule is if the tattoo was received in a state that regulates the tattoo industry. Currently, on a few states do this, but laws are always changing so contact your local blood bank to find out if you live in one of these states. In more recent months, some blood banks have relaxed their eligibility rules in regards to tattoos, so there is also the slight chance one of these donation centers are in your area. Contacting them is always the best way to know for sure.

So, if body art and blood donation are both important to you, you have a very important decision to make. Sacrificing your own desires for the benefit of others is always commendable. If that is your wish, you might have to put the tattoo or piercing off for a while. On the other hand, it doesn't make you selfish to decide in favor of body art, as long as you don't forget that helping others will always provide you with even more satisfaction; and there are certainly other ways that you can be of assistance to those in need. So, if you can't give your blood, enjoy your art and reach out to someone with your money, time and your love instead.

Answer 2

It's not totally true. Most places won't take your blood until 1 year after you get the last tattoo. AIDS doesn't show up for at least 6 months and they like a year to be on the safe side. I own a tattoo shop and I have a good standing with the local plasma clinics. My shop is regulated by the health department and they know they can trust people who have gotten tattoo or body piercings from us.

Answer 3

its true. Previously, donors were deferred from giving blood for 12 months after the tattoo. However there are a lot of blood centres that will now accept them as long as they have a certain type of certificate from the studio that shows their compliance with health regulations and sterilisation proceedures.

Blood donors who have had recent tattoos or permanent make-up applied by a licensed tattoo artist with sterile needles and non re-used ink in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana (or 23 other states) may be eligible to donate. Check with your local red cross or other organisation.

Answer 4

No it's not true! All blood donations are put through a testing process before they are given to the blood banks. Contaminated samples will be thrown out! Piercings and tattoo work have absolutely zero effect on the blood work. If all else fails and you want more information on this, talk to your local Red Cross to find out where you can donate in your area!
Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

One of the reasons for this is because of the increasing popularity of body art - if you've had a tattoo or piercing within the last year, you are not eligible to donate blood in most states, according to their rules.

Piercing Eligibility Guidelines
"Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use.
Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis."

Tattoo Eligibility Guidelines
"Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation."(American Red Cross website)
When you go to a blood bank to give plasma, they ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate. Obviously, they don't want to risk accepting contaminated blood, so they will ask about your sexual history, current health status and other related questions, including whether or not you have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last twelve months.

All blood that is donated is screened for diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments. However, it goes without saying that it is a waste of the blood bank's and the donor's time to harvest blood that is tainted and thus worthless. In order to avoid wasted time, they ask these questions to screen the potential donor. And although tattooing and piercing are much safer than some medical professionals like to indicate, there is still always a chance of getting and carrying a disease unknowingly. Especially Hepatitis, which has been the object of many heated arguments and stringent regulations.

If you should happen to contract a disease from a tattoo or piercing, it should show up in a screening after 12 months, which is the reason for the waiting period. Yes, maybe it's a little over-precautious, but would you want to be the one on the receiving end of dirty blood? If there is even a slight chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Regulated States
The only exception to the waiting period rule is if the tattoo was received in a state that regulates the tattoo industry. Currently, on a few states do this, but laws are always changing so contact your local blood bank to find out if you live in one of these states. In more recent months, some blood banks have relaxed their eligibility rules in regards to tattoos, so there is also the slight chance one of these donation centers are in your area. Contacting them is always the best way to know for sure.

So, if body art and blood donation are both important to you, you have a very important decision to make. Sacrificing your own desires for the benefit of others is always commendable. If that is your wish, you might have to put the tattoo or piercing off for a while. On the other hand, it doesn't make you selfish to decide in favor of body art, as long as you don't forget that helping others will always provide you with even more satisfaction; and there are certainly other ways that you can be of assistance to those in need. So, if you can't give your blood, enjoy your art and reach out to someone with your money, time and your love instead.

Answer 6

You can give blood if you have tattoos. You just have to wait a certain amount of time after to make sure you don't have Hepatitis B which you could get if your tattoo parlor didn't sterilize their equipment. It is the same with piercings but maybe a little less.
I think I gave blood ~3 months after I got my navel pierced and they just asked me if I had any problems with it.

Anyway, don't just assume you can't give, atleast call your local Red Cross or other blood center or ask one of the officials at a blood drive. Giving blood saves lives!!

Answer 7

It depends on certain rules and regulations in your area, usually you just have to wait 12 months before donating blood. Usually its because in case you get anything from the tattoo it might not show up in the blood and could cause problems.

I have donated blood and I have tattoos and piercings. Of course, I just got a new one, so I have to wait again.

Answer 8

It is partially true. You can not give blood if you have gotten a tattoo in the past year. It has to do with worries of hepatitis and other diseases that you may be infected with while getting a tattoo.

Answer 9

it depends on your states rules and where you got tattooed at.
SOME tattoo shops go thru rigorous inspection by the state that will then deem them exceptionally safe and will allow their tattoo customers to donate blood. so when that person goes in the blood donation center calls the tattoo shop and confirms that the person did get a tattoo there and they can give blood (my tattoo artist told me that because he used to work in one of those shops)

BUT if you didn't get a tattoo in a shop deemed acceptable by the state then you can't give blood for a period of time. how long is determined by the state. it is 12 months in louisiana where i live but i think it ranges between 6 months and 18 months.

hope that helps.

Answer 10

Not for a year after a tattoo or piercing. The red cross can give you a paper to take to the tattoo shop that says the needles were sterile and new and all equipment was autoclaved. Get it signed, and you're good to go.