2007-10-21 22:12:55 · 3 answers · asked by Hayley W 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
One year.
According to the American Red Cross:
"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. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.
Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. 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. "
http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#tat
2007-10-21 23:04:38 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you get a tattoo (or have already gotten one), you will be deferred from giving blood for one year.
That is the Red Cross's policy (I used to work for them in blood services...I did platelet and plasma aphersis).
This is something I had to deal with en masse after 9/11 when hundreds of people showed up to give blood in wake of the tragedy. Some people waited for hours to donate. Even after all that time, I had to send quite a few people home because they had gotten tattoos before wanting to donate. While I admired them for waiting 5-6 hours, I simply could not allow them to give blood.
Keep that in mind.
EMT
2007-10-22 06:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by emt_me911 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the United States, for example, a person who receives a tattoo will generally be prohibited from donating blood for 12 months (FDA 2000), unless the procedure was done in a state-regulated and licensed studio, using sterile technique (Red Cross, 2006).
2007-10-22 06:06:59 · answer #3 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋