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Excessive Bleeding When Getting Tattoo, Blood Clots In Superficial Veins. Could Antibiotics Caused This Reaction?

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Posted on Sun, 30 Sep 2012
Question: I have several tattoos but the most recent was stopped mid session due to excessive bleeding. I usually do not have any bleeding with tattooing. I recently had blood clots found in superficial veins and am awaiting appt with vascular surgeon as to tx. course for that issue. Because of this vein issue I was advised to take an antibiotic and do compression wraps. Could antibiotics I am taking have caused this reaction? Or is it a combination of meds and compression wraps??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (1 hour later)
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in
I am a medical specialist with an additional degree in cardiology. I read your question with diligence.
If we look at your problem in chronological order.
You had bleeding while tattooing for the first time. Then there were no wraps no augmentin yet you have blood related problem.
Doctor gave you compression wraps and an antibiotic (with which you had no prior history of allergy). Compression wraps do not cause clotting. Rare allergy to augmentin can cause clotting but not localized isolated finding there would be plenty more symptoms to write then. In my opinion, you have some problem with your blood because of yet unidentified cause which has led to low degree of localized disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (combination of bleeding and clotting); infection can be cause and in any case it needs to be treated. You can check with your doctor but I do not think you are allergic to augmentin. If you any follow up query please ask I will be most happy to reply. Good Luck
With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anil Grover (5 hours later)
I think perhaps I need to be more specific with time frame of the issue.

The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the superficial vein started Aug 23 with a quarter size spot on my inner lower right calf. Over the course of 5 days this spread to include my entire inner calf and into the inner knee. I went to my primary care dr and was prescribed keflex and given a shot of antibiotics (rocepien). I called my vascular surgeon to make an appt at this time. I had been to the vascular dr approx 4 years ago for pain in my leg veins but nothing was ever done other than compression stockings. I had a bilateral ultrasound ordered by the vascular dr. The ultrasound - which happened another week after being ordered - revealed multiple clots of the superficial veins in my leg. The vascular dr said to do compression wraps and follow up with reg dr. Regular dr changed my antibiotics and gave another shot of rocephin, as by this time the pain, inflammation and swelling encompassed from calf to upper inner thigh. I have been resting, elevating legs, wearing compression stockings, and taking antibiotics as directed.

I went yesterday to have my tattoo work completed - the outline was already done and healed - and this is when the excessive bleeding occurred. The location of the tattoo is my upper chest plate. When my artist attempted to color the area blood was literally seeping from the area upon first pass of the tattoo gun. The area continued to weep blood droplets for close to 3 hours after we stopped the session. We did not complete the rest of the work as this was so unusual for me to experience.

I hope this makes for easier understanding of the time sequence of event. Does this additional information time frame alter any of your prior answer? What is the recommended way for my dr to pinpoint an exact cause of infection versus just switching me from one antibiotic to another as they are now doing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (9 hours later)
Thanks for getting back. Yes your mail helps in analyzing your problem.
With your history we can identify two problems.
1. Problem of clotting and bleeding. Causes related to either stasis of blood or was was the case first time and added injury (a natural process of tattooing does break tissues which normally do not cause bleeding) points towards some kind of blood component that means, coagulation factors or platelet dysfunction could be the cause, which will be sorted out by the specialist. At present you are receiving adequate care. I am sure vascular surgeon will take a consult with hematologist and further testing will be required to find out the underlying cause. It does not appear cause for panic for definitely has raised an alarm.

2. Well, I am afraid antibiotics have been started without looking for infection (like blood culture or even complete blood count) so depending on the judgement of the treating physician and your history for allergy with drugs a course will have to be completed. Nothing to worry on that count. In so many patients it has to be done this way in the interest of time. I wish you a speedy recovery. Good Luck.

With Best Wishes

Dr Anil Grover
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anil Grover (36 minutes later)
Thank you very much for your time in reviewing my issue and your prompt response. It is always good to have another Doctors opinions. :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (2 hours later)
Pleasure is all mine and my sincerest wishes for your speedy recovery. It was good interacting with you.
May Almighty be always with you.
You may close the query with comments if you have no further questions.
Regards

Sincerely

Anil Grover
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anil Grover

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 922 Questions

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Excessive Bleeding When Getting Tattoo, Blood Clots In Superficial Veins. Could Antibiotics Caused This Reaction?

Hi there,
Thanks for writing in
I am a medical specialist with an additional degree in cardiology. I read your question with diligence.
If we look at your problem in chronological order.
You had bleeding while tattooing for the first time. Then there were no wraps no augmentin yet you have blood related problem.
Doctor gave you compression wraps and an antibiotic (with which you had no prior history of allergy). Compression wraps do not cause clotting. Rare allergy to augmentin can cause clotting but not localized isolated finding there would be plenty more symptoms to write then. In my opinion, you have some problem with your blood because of yet unidentified cause which has led to low degree of localized disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (combination of bleeding and clotting); infection can be cause and in any case it needs to be treated. You can check with your doctor but I do not think you are allergic to augmentin. If you any follow up query please ask I will be most happy to reply. Good Luck
With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW