Can I Give Blood If I Have A Tattoo
- Written By Dan Hunter on July 15, 2018Last Updated: October 13, 2021
- Medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer T. Haley, M.D., FAAD
You recently got a tattoo and it has barely finished healing when you find out that the annual blood drive is going on. Every year, you dutifully give blood to help save lives, but this time youre not sure whether youll be allowed to. Is donating blood with a tattoo acceptable?
Before you head off to the blood bank to see whether theyll turn you away, read this section. Well go over everything you need to know about donating blood after getting a tattoo.
What Other Factors Prevent You From Donating Blood
Piercing exposes you to a lot of foreign material, which can get in the way and contaminate your Blood. This can result in a variety of illnesses, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and .
There is, however, a catch: if you had a piercing done by a professional using a single-use , you can proceed with your donations. If youve had a puncture with a reusable , youll have to wait around a year before donating blood or plasma.
What Are The Important Points To Keep In Mind Before Donating Plasma
- Drink enough water or juice to be hydrated.
- Inform the center if you have had recent surgery.
- Make a list of medications you are currently taking and give it to the center
- Have a fruit after donation
So, it is concluded that a person with a tattoos is eligible for plasma donation if the tattoo is a year old and persists with no infection of any kind on the body and that it has healed completely from the outer surface and inner surface. Only an individual with a fresh/new tattoo or modifications is ineligible for plasma donation.
Frequently asked questions-
1)How long an individual has to wait after getting a tattoo to donate plasma or blood?
Recent tattoos affect the eligibility of a person to donate. It is advised to wait for 6 to 12 months before donation.
2)How frequently can a person donate plasma?
Plasma donors may donate plasma as often as every 28 days. Whereas donating whole blood requires you to wait for at least 84 days after donating blood once.
3)Can I donate blood if I am under the care of a dentist or a doctor?
A person might be eligible to donate plasma/ blood even after being under the care of a dentist or a doctor depending upon the condition he/she has. Although routine cleaning or checkups wont affect your donation practice.
4)Can a person with a cold or flu donate blood?
No, if you have any such infection you are not eligible for a donation of blood/ plasma. For a donation, you must be symptom-free.
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Can I Donate Plasma If I Have Had Covid
Covid-19 has had devastating effects around the globe. Many people had the virus, and if you are one of them, you may be wondering if your plasma is safe to donate.
The answer is a resounding yes. So long as you have fully recovered and been symptom-free for at least 28 days, your plasma donation will be welcome. In fact, your plasma will be classified as convalescent plasma.
There are two types of plasma collected. Most is standard plasma which is general use plasma. If you have recovered from Covid-19 or had the vaccination in the past six months, your plasma should contain high levels of antibodies. Fortunately, the need for convalescent plasma with Covid-19 antibodies has dropped significantly in the past few months.
Who Needs To Wait To Donate Plasma
Some people who cannot donate blood at the moment may be allowed to do so in the future. These include:
- Pregnant women and women who gave birth in the past six months.
- People who have recently traveled. Doctors will also inquire about your travel habits to determine if you’re likely to have a communicable illness like Ebola, Zika Virus, etc.
- Those who have gotten a tattoo recently. If you recently got a tattoo or piercing, doctors may not allow you to donate plasma. This is to avoid hepatitis that can be caused by sharing of needles.
- People undergoing checkups or assessments to find out if they have a chronic illness or heart disease.
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What Gets You Deferred From Donating Plasma
These include deferral for travel to malaria endemic areas, recent tattoos or piercing, feeling unwell, low hematocrit/hemoglobin, blood pressure or pulse, and donors who had second thoughts or couldnât wait.
In this manner, what does it mean to be deferred from donating plasma?
People who are disqualified from donating plasma are known as deferred donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point. Donors who are temporarily deferred will be told their names have been put on a deferral registry, which means they will not be able to donate until the temporary deferral period has expired.
Also, what medications defer you from donating plasma? The following medications will prevent you from donating blood:
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin.
Thereof, what would disqualify you from donating plasma?
Certain circumstances could preclude you from donating plasma, such as recent tattoos, body piercing, prolonged residency in Europe, cancer and/or other medical conditions. Learn more about this by reading the Donor Eligibility Requirements.
Can you donate plasma after surgery?
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How Does Plasma Donation Work
Donating plasma is similar to giving blood. A trained staff member called a phlebotomist puts a sterile needle in your arm vein to draw blood. The blood is then cycled through single-use, sterile equipment that separates plasma from the other parts of your blood. Your plasma is then collected in a container, while the other parts of your blood are safely returned to your body. This process is called plasmapheresis.
How Long Between Plasma Donations
Its important to come back for your second visit. The first time you donate plasma we test your donation sample to make sure its safe to use in life-saving medicines. We cannot use your first plasma donation until after you make your second donation with us, fortunately however, we still compensate you for your first donation. Dont forget to come back and donate again 2 to 14 days after your first visit.
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Why Cant You Donate Blood If You Have A New Tattoo
If you have a new tattoo from an unregulated tattoo parlor, you wont be able to donate blood. But why is that, exactly?
It cant be a worry about the tattoo itself. If there was a risk of some ink particles making its way into the bloodstream and contaminating the blood supply, then anyone with a new tattoo would be turned away from the blood bank, not just those who got it done in unregulated tattoo studios.
But if its not the ink that stops you from donating, then what is it?
What Is The Criteria For Giving Plasma
Been deferred as a donor by another blood or plasma donation center. Been pregnant in last 6 weeks or trying to get pregnant. Weigh less than 110 pounds. Between the ages of 16 and 17, signed parental/legal guardian consent and attendance at screening appointment is required.
Before you donate plasma
- Drink 6 to 8 cups of water or juice the day before and day of your donation.
- Eat a protein-rich, iron-rich meal no more than 3 hours before donating.
- Dont eat fatty foods like french fries, potato chips, pizza, or sweets the day you donate.
The following medications will prevent you from donating blood:
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Will A Plasma Center Be Able To Tell Ive Got A Tattoo
Technically, a center cant tell precisely when you got your tattoo or even if you have one if its well hidden. If the tattoo is in a place that you can see easily through like your neck, hand, or your arm and it appears to be fresh, then they are likely to know that it was applied recently.
In the event that they dont notice, the center is still going to run tests on you in order to check that you are safe to donate blood, such as tests for viruses like hepatitis.
People who have tattoos and piercings can often get these sorts of illnesses, though its much more likely if the person has had a tattoo that hasnt been sanitized or done correctly. Hepatitis is incredibly dangerous, causing bad illnesses.
The recipient of the blood can end up getting the virus and that can be dangerous for them, sometimes lethal.
In some situations it may be possible for you to get a tattoo and donate the blood without anyone even being aware of it, but this is a risk that you should be avoiding since it can put another persons life at risk.
You can still donate blood if you have a tattoo you just need to wait a while after getting a tattoo in order to do so. Its the right and responsible thing to do, after all.
There are a couple of requirements for donating blood if you have tattoos that you need to be aware of. Weve listed many of them below.
Some Blood Banks Are More Risk
In some cases, the blood bank youre dealing with might still turn you down, even if youre in a state that carefully regulates tattoo facilities. This is because they are either very risk-averse or not as knowledgeable about the safety procedures that tattoo artists use while doing their work.
Regardless of the reason, be sure to mention youve recently been tattooed when you show up to donate or call ahead to make sure its okay.
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The Problem With Lying About When You Got A Tattoo
Some people will actually lie about when they got their tattoo when they go to donate blood at a donation center. This is a pretty common occurrence, but its a dangerous thing to do.
In fact, you can actually risk another persons life by donating blood just after getting a tattoo. Most of the time a blood and plasma center wont actually take the chance that you are lying and will simply do tests on you before you donate, so if you lie you will get caught out.
Itll just be embarrassing for you and wont benefit you at all. Any tests that they do before you donate blood are designed to figure out if you have any infections or diseases that could make the donation dangerous for the recipient.
Tattoos can sometimes cause blood infections. Of course, if you get a tattoo theres no guarantee that you will get a blood infection, though it is made a little more likely if you get a tattoo thats poor quality and things havent been sanitized properly by the tattoo artist.
Since a needle is being put into your skin, your body needs time to recover from the process, putting your immune system into overdrive.
The same can be said when you get a piercing. During this time period, you are more likely to contract things like infections and viruses. Conditions like hepatitis can even occur.
Its especially crucial if you have friends or family members that need your blood, but you cant donate because of a pointless lie.
Back Neck Hip And Spine
Common back problems such as sprains, strains and aches should not interfere with a marrow donation. If you have had a single back surgery more than 5 years ago, and have no ongoing symptoms, you may be able to donate. If you have chronic/ongoing back pain requiring medical treatment , chiropractic treatments, etc.) you will not be able to donate.
The following back-related issues must be carefully evaluated to determine whether or not you may donate:
- Single surgery 2-5 years ago
- Multiple surgeries, no matter how long since procedures
- History of fracture 2-5 years ago from an injury
- History of herniated, bulging or slipped disc in any location of the back
- Mild osteoarthritis involving the spine, neck or hip
- Diagnosis of scoliosis, if no history of surgery or if the rods/pins have been removed and you are fully recovered
- Diagnosis of degenerative disc disease
If you have significant back problems and/or any questions regarding your medical condition, contact your local donor center.
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Can I Donate Blood If I Have Lived In Germany
Under the new guidelines, persons who had been ineligible because they resided for six months or more on U.S. military bases in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands between 1980 and 1990, or on bases in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Italy between 1980 and 1996 may now be eligible.Jan 25, 2021
How Do You Prepare For Blood Donation When You Have A Tattoo
If you satisfy all of the standards for tattoo donation, you should do a few things before your blood drive to ensure a smooth experience. These guidelines are much more vital to follow if you have a tattoo. Even if youre eligible to give, its preferable to wait at least 6-8 weeks for your tattoo to heal correctly before donating. You will be presenting pureblood in this manner, with no chance of transmission.
Because your immunity is at its lowest after you receive a tattoo, there are a few things you can do to help your immune system recover.
- Have beans, meat, spinach and broccoli, and other iron-rich foods as a clean and iron-rich diet.
- Make sure you engage in stress-relieving activities like dancing and exercising, as stress significantly impacts your bodys function and may impair your capacity to donate Blood.
- Finally, consume plenty of juices and water to help flush your system and get you back on track.
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Is Donating Plasma Painful
Whether the process is painful for you depends on your pain threshold. For some people, donating feels no worse than a pinprick, while others may feel more pain. If the nurse misses the vein or you experience plasma donation side effects, its possible youll experience more pain, but overall, most people report nothing more than mild discomfort.
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I Need To Talk To Someone About My Debit Card
Although Octapharma Plasma issues the prepaid card to donors, you will need to contact the associated debit card provider directly for questions specific to your card. Debit card providers are able to help with, but are not limited, to the following:
- How do I check my card balance?
- My card is lost or stolen. How can I get a replacement?
- Can I add money to my card?
- Who do I talk to about charges on my card?
- I forgot my pin number. How do I reset it?
We have two debit card providers. Here is contact information for each:
Northlane Debit Card
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Pay Attention To The Tattoo Artists Setup
Everything the tattoo artist will use to do your tattoo should be in plain view. Nothing disposable should be reused. The needles should be in their packaging until everything starts, and the ink should be straight out of the bottle too. Dont allow a tattoo artist to cut corners. It might be awkward to demand that they use new items or even to grab your jacket and leave, but you should never put yourself and your health at risk.
Can I Give Blood
Sometimes it is not possible to give blood, or we may ask you to wait before donating again. To save you a wasted journey, please read this list of the most common reasons people cannot give blood.
If you have a medical condition, or a question about whether you can give blood, you should check the health & eligibility and travel section before you book an appointment.
If you need to cancel your appointment please give us 3 daysâ notice so that we can offer the space to another donor. You can easily cancel or reschedule by signing in to your online account or using the NHS Give Blood app.
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Can I Donate Plasma If I Was Born In Germany
There will no longer be any deferrals based on time spent in other European countries, including Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain and more. This is what will allow many local nationals to give blood, if they are able to enter U.S. military bases in Europe where blood drives are conducted.Jul 9, 2020
Is Donating Plasma Safe
Since donation centers often pay for plasma but not blood, you may wonder if there is a hidden catch or if it is entirely safe. Technically, plasma donors are paid for their time and not so much for the collected material. It does take a little longer than donating whole blood.
A lot of honesty is required while completing the registration process before each visit to donate whole blood. If there was an incentive, the concern is that donors may lie and put vulnerable patients at risk. Blood donors are also not usually compensated because it may be regarded as easy money, and ineligible donors may come forward simply to make some extra cash.
However, private plasma collection companies often pay attractive amounts to attract donors and keep them coming back. You will be relieved to know that donating plasma can be a safe side-hustle if you are eligible. Besides doing something good to help others, you get to put your feet up, and you could potentially make hundreds of dollars, especially in your first few visits.
Donating plasma feels very similar to donating blood, except you can do it more frequently. To ensure that your plasma donating center is fully accredited and safe, check that it is recognized by the International Quality Plasma Program . This will ensure that you are in good hands as the center adheres to global industry standards for collecting plasma.
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