What problems might it cause to have "Tom" tattooed on your ankle?

Years ago, the story went, a lovestruck sailor got a bit drunk and had the name of his most recent sweetie tattooed on his arm or chest.  Over the years, however, tattooing became big business.

It isn't a love-struck sailor that gets a tattoo these days.  It can be anyone who thinks it's interesting, "cool," or attractive or wants to prove a point to someone somewhere.  Indeed for some people it can be a form of rebellion.  

It only takes a few hours, or less, to get a tattoo, and there are places in almost every city that advertise to do it.  On the other hand, what sounds like a good idea at the time, might become something to regret later, according to medical experts.

First let's examine how a tattoo is done.  A design is first made on the skin.  Pigments are inserted through pinpricks into the top layer of the skin.  It is almost like a sewing machine as one or more needles repeatedly pierce the skin leaving drops of ink.

This is all done without pain medications.  Big tattoos can take several hours to do and can be quite painful.

In fact, in Samoa, where tattooing is part of the cultural tradition, it is a test of a man to have big tattoos because of the pain involved.

But there are risks involved that few people consider when they get a tattoo.  One is the potential for an allergic reaction from the dye itself.  This can occur years after an individual gets a tattoo.  Tattoos can also lead to bacterial infections as well as other skin problems.  More serious infections can be caused by the equipment itself, since needles are used, including hepatitis B, hepattis C, tetanus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Other risks include the impact of future medical care or testing.  Burning or swelling can be caused by an MRI, for example.

The health problems are one thing; the emotional consequences are another.

Do you really want "Tom" tattooed on your ankle when you fall in love with "Bob?"