Today we are going to discuss Can Tattoos Cause Nerve Damage, this might interest many of you with ink on your body.
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Gizmo has nothing against tattoos even though they are not for him, but since recently neuromuscular disease has taken over my life this interested me. What risks are you taking with this type of art on your body, that is what this is going to think about.
Known Tattoo Risks
Let us begin with what we know about the risks we are taking, one reason this came to my mind to write about is tattoos are more popular than ever. What are the known risks are what you can be aware of right from the start.
- Dye allergic skin reactions
- Rashes have been known to last for years even after you have your tattoo
- Believe it or not, you are taking the chance of an infection of your skin
- Scar tissue from raised areas
- Skin inflammation
- Risks of disease from unclean equipment
- Recently it is believed tattoos can cause problems during MRIs for accurate diagnosis
The risks above should be considered before you decide on getting ink onto your body, you will find that many people share they got their tattoos while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Protect Yourself
Let us say you really want one for whatever reason, before you do how can you protect yourself from the risks listed above? That is very important for your health, so that is what we are going to learn next.
- Check out for tattoo artists who take all precautions to keep you safe
- Does the artist wear gloves during the process
- Carefully watch to be sure new needles are being used, when not this is putting you at risk for blood diseases.
- Ink should be used from brand new tubes for each person
- Ask if they use a heat sterilizing machine
Many of us receive our tattoos when we are young and not as wise, but really if you are going to have ink applied to your body protecting yourself is extremely important. Parents should guide their teenagers before they get this artwork onto their bodies, so instead of fighting with them help them stay safe as possible.
Tattoo Care Guide
Now once you have done everything above, you will need to know how to take care of your new body artwork. Once you have taken the step to have this applied, it is extremely important to know how to care for it properly.
- Clean gently with mild soap and water
- Avoid direct streams from the shower onto your new body artwork
- Never rub whenever you dry, but instead pat dry gently
- Applying a mild skin moisturizer several times per day is recommended
- Protect your tattoo from direct sun for at least several weeks or more
- No swimming pools
- Hot Tubs should be avoided
- Clothing that will not stick to your body artwork should be considered
- Never pick at or scratch no matter how itchy it becomes
- Allow at least two weeks for this to heal
- Gizmo researched this information from the Mayo Clinic Organization website.
How helpful has this basic guide been so far, if you have anything on your mind please feel free to share it in my comments section. My comments are at the end of this publication, just so you know this opportunity exists to ask questions or share your own experience with my other readers.
Nerve Damage Symptoms
From my research nerve damage is possible, but extremely rare. We just never know if we might be the exception, so what I am going to do is provide you with what to watch for below.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Feeling like you’re wearing a tight glove or sock
- Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs
- Regularly dropping objects that you’re holding
- Sharp pains in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
- A buzzing sensation that feels like a mild electrical shock
Right now I am in the process of testing and treatment for neuromuscular disease, now this is no way from tattoos since I have none on my body. All the symptoms above do apply to me at this time, all the nerve conductor tests come out normal. My next set of tests are MRIs on my brain, spine, and my lumbar areas, if you ever experience these symptoms consult your physician right away. Don’t follow in my footsteps and wait until you are struggling to take care of yourself, now let us move on with more information.
Emotional Problem Connection
Neurological diseases and disorders can cause mental health problems, This really is not so difficult to believe, imagine everyday things you can do now one day to be a challenge. I am facing this in my own personal life at this time, so believe me it is extremely frustrating and even scary at times.
- Post Stroke
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Migraines
- Bladder Functioning
- Bowel Functioning
- Memory
- Decreased Quality of Life
- Low Self-Esteem
- Lack of Confidence
- Relationship Stress
- Financial Stress
- Cognitive Functioning Frustration
There are many struggles many of us would never realize from nerve damage, many people will end up with mobility issues eventually. Some of us will be unlucky enough to have to deal with this alone, and possibly even end up living our last days in a nursing home.
Nervous System Disorders
With my neuromuscular disease or disorder, I am experiencing muscle weakness as well as nervous system symptoms. For many people, this is the normal case when living with nervous system disorders. Red flags to watch for are listed below, now if you or anyone you know are experiencing these consult your physician right away.
- Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
- A headache that changes or is different
- Loss of feeling or tingling
- Weakness or loss of muscle strength
- Loss of sight or double vision
- Memory loss
- Impaired mental ability
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle rigidity
- Tremors and seizures
- Back pain which radiates to the feet, toes, or other parts of the body
- Muscle wasting and slurred speech
- New language impairment
In my next paragraph, we are going to learn where you can go for help. It has taken me years to realize what has been my problem with my symptoms, which motivated me to educate my readers to avoid the same thing.
Where To Get Help?
As Gizmo always preaches knowledge is the key to solving any problem, I was referred from doctor to doctor for many years. Just last week, I was referred to another specialist to find out exactly what neuromuscular disease or disorder I might have.
- Neurologist.
- Neurosurgeon.
- Neuroradiologist and interventional radiologist.
- Psychologist.
- Psychiatrist.
- Physiatrist.
- Physical therapist.
- Occupational therapist.
- Speech/language pathologist.
- John Hopkins Medicine website was my resource for this information
The health providers above are where you want to go for help, what I have found from my own experience is a neurologist is your best first step. Sadly, my journey took a long route to get to this specialist. At least now, I do know what is going on with my body despite still not being diagnosed this is a relief.
Healthcare Provider Finder
Many of us never see a healthcare provider until we actually need one, I was the very same way myself. In my mid-thirties, my health began to decline rapidly. Becoming disabled so young caused me many mental health issues, since I had no physician it took me years to find a good one that I could trust with my health.
- Doctors
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Rehab Services
- Home Health Services
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Dialysis
- Long-Term Hospital Care
- Nursing Homes
- Hospice Care
- Explore the Healthcare Provider Finder Tool
Before we move on to my next paragraph, Gizmo provides you with free auto-notifications of new publications. Be sure you will never have products pushed at you through this, you will only receive a notification whenever a new guide is published.
Neuromuscular Disorders
- Diabetic neuropathy – nerve damage caused by diabetes
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and other motor neuron diseases – destroy cells that control voluntary muscle activity
- Toxic neuropathy – pain and weakness caused by toxic substances
- Small fiber neuropathy – affects the nerve endings of the skin
- Autonomic neuropathies – damage to nerves that affects the heart, blood pressure, body temperature, digestion, and more
- Muscular disorders, hereditary:
- Congenital myopathies – muscle weakness existing at birth
- Muscular dystrophy – a group of disorders involving muscle weakness
- Metabolic myopathies – breakdown of muscles, cramping syndromes, exercise intolerance, including mitochondrial disorders
- Muscular disorders acquired:
- Inclusion body myositis – inflammatory muscle disease includes weakness and difficulty swallowing
- Dermatomyositis – inflammatory muscle disease includes muscle weakness and skin rash
- Polymyositis – includes muscle weakness and inflammation
- Necrotizing myopathy – extensive muscle destruction
- Neuromuscular junction disorders (dysfunction at the location where nerves connect with muscles):
- Myasthenia gravis – communication problem between nerves and muscles results in muscle weakness and muscle fatigue
- Lambert-Eaton Syndrome – often coincides with cancer, causing muscle weakness
My resource for neuromuscular diseases and disorders came from The Michigan Medicine website, with me sharing my sources for the information in Can Tattoos Cause Nerve Damage, I am providing you resources for you to use yourself.
Neuromuscular Resources
Since providing you valuable information is the priority of my website, what I have next are some of the better resources to add to your browser favorites. You will find a huge list on my own browser for easy access, so this is something that Gizmo does find a valuable tip to share with you.
- Accessible Travel
- Clinical Trials Finder Tool
- Emergencies
- Equipment Assistance
- Flu Season
- Caregivers
- Young Adults
- K-12 Education
- MOVR Data Hub
- Newborn Screening
- Quest Magazine
- MDA Tool Kit
- For Easy Access Click Here
If you’re looking for one-on-one assistance, the National MDA Resource Center is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm CST by phone at 1-833-ASK-MDA1 (1-833-275-6321) or email at ResourceCenter@mdausa.org.
Neuromuscular Diet
Since this nerve and muscle disorder is often from our immune systems, what I have experienced is my diet has had a huge impact on the severity of my symptoms. Consulting a dietician would be recommended by Gizmo, now here are the foods suggested on The Muscle Dystrophy News website.
- Chicken
- Fish
- Eggs
- Beans
- Soy
- Legumes
- Whole Grains ( Gluten-Free Optional )
- Fruit ( Acidy Fruits Beware )
- Non-Starchy Veggies such as Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Dairy Products ( Beware of Allergy Symptoms)
Muscular Dystrophy News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Autoimmune Food Guide
When your neuromuscular is affecting your digestive system all the above foods might not agree with you, I must stay on a strict diet mainly fruit, vegetables, and grass-fed meat. Now everyone is different of course, so doing an elimination diet might benefit you as it did for me.
- Grass-Fed Meat
- Fatty Fish
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Non-Acidy Fruits
- Coconut Milk
- Almond Milk
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Culinary Herbs
- Green Tea
- Herbal Tea
- Bone Broth
- Gluten-Free Grains
Over the years these have become the stables in my own diet plan, many people with neuromuscular disease experience constipation. You might even experience bladder and bowel leakage without realizing it due to numbness in those areas, what I have had to do is start wearing underwear such as Depends.
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Gizmos Self-Help Guides
As a bonus for reading my entire article, I always include some of my publications as a convenience to you. I choose them in relation to my topic whenever possible, but some of them might be health-related for other problem-solving solutions.
- Bone Broth Soup Recipes
- Are Processed Foods Unhealthy
- Healthy Food Printable Chart
- Free Handmade Soap Recipes
- Emotional Support Animal Letter Template
Feel free to browse all of my self-help guides on my Pinterest Board, and if by any chance you are on Twitter look me up at any time. These are the only two social media hangouts you will find me on, please feel free to visit me at any time.