Medic Alert Tattoos

[Karol]

That makes me think of this tattoo designed for me by Brian Wren in Brooklyn, NY. I have it on a t-shirt.


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[1kidneylady]

I recently read that there is alot of heavy metals in tattoo ink which would be toxic to someone with only one kidney.  Did anyone discuss this with their dr. before getting one?

[Mizchelle]

Great ideas!

I'm contemplating KIDNEY accros across and DONOR downwards (using the "D" in the word kidney), but can't quite figure out the type of artwork to soften it yet.

[Dirty Rocker]

I recently read that there is alot of heavy metals in tattoo ink which would be toxic to someone with only one kidney.  Did anyone discuss this with their dr. before getting one?

With all due respect, I believe you have been misinformed. If heavy metals were that prevalent in tattoo ink, people with two kidneys would also be in danger, not to mention liver damage and other problems in normally healthy people. The greatest health risk in tattooing is infection and cross-contamination from unsafe hygienic practices. I've been getting tattooed for 16 years and have done a lot of research on the subject. Of course, transplant recipients would have to be much more careful, if they are ever cleared to be tattooed after transplant (I've heard some people are allowed by their team to get tattooed, some are not).

For the record, of course I cleared it with my transplant team, especially because I wanted to get them done before I returned to work after surgery. The team told me it should have no bearing on my kidney function or health, and Baylor has some of the best statistics for transplants in the country, so I trust their medical advice for myself, but I would encourage anyone interested in getting tattooed after surgery discuss it with their doctor or transplant team before doing so.

[leftover]

I am about a month post transplant, and my fiance has encouraged me to where a medic alert bracelet.  I might consider this instead!

Leftover

[Fr Pat]

     It might be wise to use a bracelet/medal even if you also have a tattoo. I think most medical emergency folks are trained to look for alert bracelets/medals, but might not (in an emergency) think to stop and read a tattoo? Plus the danger that in a bad accident a tattoo might be obscured by blood? Having both might be safer.
     Fr. Pat
     

[Mizchelle]

That's a good point made about having both. I've been told by an EMT worker that they don't even look for bracelets because it's their job to apply necessary care deemed at the time during an "emergency".

[Clark]

Medic Alert necklaces are seen as soon as vitals are checked. Bracelets are a good alternate location if necklaces are a problem. I don't like necklaces, but prefer wearing one to having anything on my wrists. My scars provide my history better than tattoos. Not judging, just not for me.

[ashlee1313]

     It might be wise to use a bracelet/medal even if you also have a tattoo. I think most medical emergency folks are trained to look for alert bracelets/medals, but might not (in an emergency) think to stop and read a tattoo? Plus the danger that in a bad accident a tattoo might be obscured by blood? Having both might be safer.
     Fr. Pat
     

I'm not sure about EMTs because their primary job is to get you to the hospital ASAP, but trauma and other types of nurses (at least the ones I have spoken to) are required to look for tattoos and other markings in addition to looking out for alert bracelets when a patient is brought into the hospital.  Also, outside of people needing a medical bracelet/tattoo/whatever, tattoos can serve as way to help find the identity of any person if they did not have an ID on their body when the emergency occurred.

I agree that having both would be a good idea, because a bracelet or necklace can break and get lost, but wherever you got the tattoo could be severely disfigured as well.