Epidermis and Epidural: Difference between pages

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The '''skin''', covering most of the human body, is typically the primary focus for adornment in [[Body modification]].  As the skin is the body's first defense against the remarkably hostile outside world, it is very tough and the body is extremely good at healing it.  Furthermore, healthy skin has a tensile strength on the order of 15 lb/in², making [[Category:Suspensions|suspension]] and [[Pulling|pulling]] possible.
'''There is NO TRUTH to the urban legend that you can not get an epidural (spinal) administered if the needle would have to pass through a tattoo!'''


==Contents==
Some misguided doctors have refused to perform epidurals on women with tattoos that the needle would have to pass through (ie. between the second and third lumbar vertebrae). The reason for the worry is the risk of the needle passing tattoo ink into the spine and central nervous systems, and the potential contradictions that might cause.
# [[#Structure|Structure]]
## [[#Epidermis|Epidermis]]
## [[#Dermis|Dermis]]
## [[#Hypodermis|Hypodermis]]
# [[#Notes|Notes]]


== Structure ==
That said, tattoo ink isn't just "floating around" under the skin. Macrophages assimilate the ink and it's pretty much stationary under the skin — tattoos are there for life you know! Outside of the fact that tattoo ink is on the whole inert, and there's only a tiny bit of it, it's not going to pour into your spinal column.
On a basic anatomical level, skin is divided up into the ''epidermis'' (the skin that is constantly replacing itself and sloughing off) and the ''dermis'' (essentially permanent). Below that is the ''subcutaneous layer'' (fat cells) or ''hypodermis''.
[[File:Skin-1.jpg|center|240px]]


=== Epidermis ===
This is a non-risk entry. Unfortunately this urban legend is pervasive, as this reader describes,
In the diagram above, layers '''A''' and '''B''' make up the epidermis, with '''A''' being the dead skins that line the surface, and '''B''' being living cells that move toward the surface, die, and fall off. Anything that ends up in this layer (such as tattoo ink, shallow piercings, and so on) will eventually be pushed out.


=== Dermis ===
:"I am a 28 year old woman with tattoos on my upper and lower back. My husband and I plan to start a family in the next year or so and my 16 year old sister was just informed (through her high school life skills class) that women can not get epidurals if they have tattoos. It's pretty bad when this information is being told to young girls and if it's not even true. I didn't believe it when she told me, but she insisted that is was the truth because 'that's what she was told'."
Layer '''C''' is the dermis and is separated from the epidermis by a thin layer of connective tissue called a basement membrane. Stem cells at the top of the dermis seed cells into the epidermis above, but other than that this layer is static and does not exfoliate like the epidermis—thus when [[Tattoo ink|tattoo ink]] is placed in this layer with a [[Tattoo machine|tattoo machine]], it stays for good.  Piercings can migrate up or down given the right pressure, however, and contaminants can be carried away by the immune system.


The dermis is structurally divided into two areas: a superficial area adjacent to the epidermis, called the ''papillary region'', and a deep thicker area known as the ''reticular region''. The papillary region is composed of loose (areolar) connective tissue. It is named for its fingerlike projections called ''papillae'', that extend toward the epidermis. The papillae provide the dermis with a "bumpy" surface that interdigitates with the epidermis, strengthening the connection between the two layers of skin. In the palms, fingers, soles, and toes, the influence of the papillae projecting into the epidermis forms contours in the skin's surface. These are called friction ridges, because they help the hand or foot to grasp by increasing friction. Friction ridges occur in patterns that are genetically determined and are therefore unique to the individual, making it possible to use fingerprints or footprints as a means of identification.
Even some doctors not experienced with tattoos worry about this, as Sara describes,


The reticular region lies deep in the papillary region and is usually much thicker. It is composed of dense irregular connective tissue, and receives its name from the dense concentration of collagenous, elastic, and reticular fibers that weave throughout it. These protein fibers give the dermis its properties of strength, extensibility, and elasticity. Located within the reticular region are also the roots of the hair, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, receptors, nails, and blood vessels.
:"About a year ago I got a tattoo on my lower back, and late last year I had to undergo a spinal tap. The doctor made a huge deal out of it. He said the same thing that was said here, about the ink getting into my CSF — and it took him two mistakes before deciding to go through the tat, which to me was no big deal — it's a celtic knot... but he was pretty upset about it — needless to say I really didn't care."


=== Hypodermis ===
Thankfully doctors are becoming better informed on the subject as Rosemarie (of [[Miraculous Creations]]) recounts,
Below the dermis is the hypodermis ('''D''') made up of loose connective tissue and fat cells.  Deep wounds, such as those caused by a [[Torn Suspension Hook|torn suspension hook]], can expose this layer.


== Notes ==
:"I am a heavily tattooed woman and own a studio in Worcester, MA. I recently broke my ankle severely and required surgery for plates and screws to be put in to rebuild the broken bones. I was given an epidural for my surgery and yes, my back is tattooed. Nothing was even mentioned to me about there being any issue. The surgery and epidural went very well. I kept sitting up and trying to watch the surgery over the little curtain divider they put over you, but they wouldn't let me watch. I suffered no ill effects from the epidural and my ankle is recovering slowly but surely."
Like the rest of the world, skin contains massive amounts of [[Bacteria]], both inside and out. When a person washes their hands, they actually end up with more bacteria on the surface of the hands than before you washed. This is because by sloughing off the outer dead cells, normal flora naturally present in the skin are exposed. These organisms are largely harmless to the host, but not necessarily to others.
 
== Entries related to this risk ==
* [[Pregnancy]]
* [[Tattoos]]
 
== Related Links ==
* [http://www.painfreebirthing.com/english/tattoo.htm Harvard Medical School's Painfree Childbirth Page]

Latest revision as of 03:18, 17 September 2023

There is NO TRUTH to the urban legend that you can not get an epidural (spinal) administered if the needle would have to pass through a tattoo!

Some misguided doctors have refused to perform epidurals on women with tattoos that the needle would have to pass through (ie. between the second and third lumbar vertebrae). The reason for the worry is the risk of the needle passing tattoo ink into the spine and central nervous systems, and the potential contradictions that might cause.

That said, tattoo ink isn't just "floating around" under the skin. Macrophages assimilate the ink and it's pretty much stationary under the skin — tattoos are there for life you know! Outside of the fact that tattoo ink is on the whole inert, and there's only a tiny bit of it, it's not going to pour into your spinal column.

This is a non-risk entry. Unfortunately this urban legend is pervasive, as this reader describes,

"I am a 28 year old woman with tattoos on my upper and lower back. My husband and I plan to start a family in the next year or so and my 16 year old sister was just informed (through her high school life skills class) that women can not get epidurals if they have tattoos. It's pretty bad when this information is being told to young girls and if it's not even true. I didn't believe it when she told me, but she insisted that is was the truth because 'that's what she was told'."

Even some doctors not experienced with tattoos worry about this, as Sara describes,

"About a year ago I got a tattoo on my lower back, and late last year I had to undergo a spinal tap. The doctor made a huge deal out of it. He said the same thing that was said here, about the ink getting into my CSF — and it took him two mistakes before deciding to go through the tat, which to me was no big deal — it's a celtic knot... but he was pretty upset about it — needless to say I really didn't care."

Thankfully doctors are becoming better informed on the subject as Rosemarie (of Miraculous Creations) recounts,

"I am a heavily tattooed woman and own a studio in Worcester, MA. I recently broke my ankle severely and required surgery for plates and screws to be put in to rebuild the broken bones. I was given an epidural for my surgery and yes, my back is tattooed. Nothing was even mentioned to me about there being any issue. The surgery and epidural went very well. I kept sitting up and trying to watch the surgery over the little curtain divider they put over you, but they wouldn't let me watch. I suffered no ill effects from the epidural and my ankle is recovering slowly but surely."

Entries related to this risk

Related Links

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