Growing up, getting a tattoo felt like a forbidden topic.
The moment I even mentioned it, I’d be met with a long list of reasons why tattoos were a bad idea.
People would say they’d ruin my future, limit my opportunities, and even "taint" my blood, making me ineligible to donate.
I wasn’t exactly an avid blood donor nor did I plan to be, but it made me wonder—what else would a tattoo keep me from doing?
So, is it really true that you can’t donate blood if you have a tattoo?
VERDICT:
FALSE
It's a widespread myth that individuals with tattoos are permanently barred from donating blood.
In truth, having a little ink on your skin does not immediately disqualify you from being a blood donor.
The primary concern centres on the potential risk of blood-borne infections like hepatitis, which can be transmitted if proper sterilisation techniques aren't followed during the tattooing process.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people can donate blood if they are in good health.
However, specific eligibility criteria will vary by country as many regions have blood donation guidelines stating that a person must wait for a certain period after getting a tattoo done before they can roll up their sleeve.
This deferral period allows time to ensure that any potential infections become detectable, and the length of the waiting period can differ based on local regulations and the conditions under which the tattoo was applied.
According to the WHO’s website, if you've recently gotten a tattoo or body piercing, you must wait six months from the procedure date before donating blood.
This rule applies in Malaysia, with the Ministry of Health’s National Blood Centre saying that those who receive tattoos must wait six months before they donate blood.
It adds that this six-month rule also applies to those who have received piercings or underwent acupuncture or cupping (bekam).
That said, this rule differs in other areas as in some countries one might be eligible to donate blood 12 hours after a piercing provided that a registered health professional performed it and there is no remaining inflammation.
And it is interesting to note that some jurisdictions do not follow the six-month rule recommended by the WHO; in the United States, the American Red Cross requires a 12-month waiting period after receiving a tattoo in an unregulated facility before a person can donate blood.
This is due to the risk of hepatitis.
It's important to note that the safety and quality of the tattooing establishment play a significant role.
Tattoos obtained from licensed artists from regulated parlours, where sterile equipment and new ink are used for each client, definitely pose a lower risk of infection.
On the other hand, tattoos from unregulated or informal settings may increase the risk, leading to longer deferral periods before one can donate blood.
As more independent artists set up home-based studios to combat the traditional operating costs, questions about sanitation and safety have begun to crop up.
Potential donors are encouraged to disclose accurate information about their tattoos, including the date and location where they were done, during the pre-donation screening process.
This transparency helps healthcare providers determine eligibility and ensure the safety of the blood supply.
All in all, having a tattoo doesn't permanently prevent you from donating blood and making smart choices about where you get inked only helps maintain both donor eligibility and the safety of recipients in the future.
SOURCES
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-you-donate-blood-if-you-have-a-tattoo
https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-donate-blood-if-you-have-a-tattoo
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2020/who-can-give-blood
