Children and teenagers with
congenital heart disease should be strongly discouraged from getting a tattoo
or piercing their ears or other body parts, because it could lead to a
potentially deadly infection of the heart called endocarditis
Infective endocarditis occurs
when bacteria or fungi attach and start to grow on the valves of the heart. If
left untreated, it can lead to a fatal destruction of heart muscle.
Most people are not aware that
they should talk to their doctor before tattooing or piercing their body.
Body art in the form of tattoos
and piercing has become increasingly popular among children and teenagers.
Most experts today strongly
discourage all forms of body art. For those who cannot be dissuaded, the
recommendation is to give antibiotics prior to tattooing or piercing, “with
strong advice for prompt treatment of any signs of subsequent infection”.
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