Tattoos can leave nickel and chromium in the lymph nodes

If you look at the lymph nodes of a person with lots of tattoos, you will notice a very strange thing is the existence of microscopic metal particles.

It has long been known that tattoos can lead to metallic nanoparticles , where they are pumped around until they are caught by the immune system in a lymph node, found. seen throughout the body, including in the armpits, groin and neck. It was previously thought that this came from inks, however, a new study has shown that, not so.

Scientists have determined that tattoos can leave tiny metal particles in the human body.

Scientists have discovered that traces of nickel and chromium found in the lymph nodes of tattooists actually originate from the needles of tattoo guns.

'Needle wear also has an impact on your body , ' explains Hiram Castillo, one of the study's authors.

The team, led by researchers at the German Federal Risk Assessment Institute, began their investigation by studying the tissues of people who died and had no tattoos. In the lymph nodes of the tattoo cohort, they found iron, chromium and nickel particles ranging in size from 50 nanometers to 2 micrometers. That may sound insignificant, but nanoparticles are potentially more dangerous than larger particles and can release higher toxic factors.

To the researchers' surprise, these metals were not found in tattoo inks, so they began to look for other sources.

'We tested about 50 samples without finding such metal particles and must ensure that we did not contaminate the samples during sample preparation. After that, we thought about trying a tattoo needle and the cause was determined, '' said Ines Schreiver, a scientist at the German Federal Risk Assessment Institute.

A further analysis showed that green, blue and red tattoo ink contains a pigment called titanium dioxide, which can erode tattoo needles. However, black ink does not contain this pigment and needles wear less.

The discovery may also help explain why tattoos can sometimes cause an allergic reaction in some people. As for the broader health effects of having a lymph node loaded with nanoparticles, so far it's not clear. At present, there is very little evidence that tattoos are associated with any wider health problem, however, researchers hope to investigate this path a little further before making it. any conclusions.

1. "Tattooing" pictures on . the brain to treat diseases, a new step for scientists
2. Learn the history of human tattoo art