Tattoos and lymphedema

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Cheesequake
Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
edited May 2015 in Lymphedema
Tattoos and lymphedema
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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2015

    I LOVE mastectomy/lumpectomy scar covering tattoos and nipple tattoos, but I often wonder - wouldn't any kind of tattoo on the chest result in nearly definite lymphedema?

    I asked this elsewhere and someone mentioned they were put on antibiotics in order to have their tattoos done. I'd never heard of this Does it work?

    If you have mild lymphedema, isn't it possible to make it worse with something as invasive as tattooing?

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited May 2015

    I wouldn't say that it would definitely cause LE, but there is clearly a risk of it developing. Probably a guaranteed flare up if you already have it. Also perhaps an outside possibility of cellulitis.

    I have mild truncal and upper arm LE and had nipple reconstruction with a tattooed areola. Couldn't handle seeing the scar and no nipple/areola. I had a mild flare of LE after surgery that took me several months to control. Took antibiotics after the surgery, but still had trouble with infection around the stitches after the course of antibiotics ended. It resolved without more issues.

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited May 2015

    I had areola tattoos done, including one touchup. I experienced a mild flare of the arm afterward, but that resolved within a day or so. So definitely the lymphatic system responded to the tattoos. I think we're all different, especially the robustness of our lymphatic systems, so it's hard to generalize our experiences. I don't think LE after nipple work is a given, but there's certainly some risk.

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited May 2015

    I already have mild to moderate lymphedema in my right arm and right truncal quadrant, yet I'm considering mastectomy scar tattoos to cover up my scars. Anyone take a risk and do it anyway? What were the results? I've seen such beautiful birds, flowers and wild life tattoos I can seriously imagine them on my chest as a pleasant reminder rather than the scars. Thanks for your experiences.

    Amy

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