How Tattoos and Piercings Affect your Ability to Donate Blood Plasma

1. Donating blood platelets or plasma has always been a noble pursuit to help those in need.

2. The American Red Cross has been encouraging more people to come forward, but a lot of willing donors are being turned away

2.1. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

3. In the last few years, the search for suitable donors has become increasingly difficult

3.1. causing a drastic supply shortage.

4. All blood that is donated is screened for diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments.

5. When you go to a blood bank to give plasma, they ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate

5.1. they will ask about your sexual history, current health status and other related questions, including whether or not you have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last twelve months.

6. Eligibility Guidelines

6.1. Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use.

6.1.1. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis

7. Tattoo Eligibility Guidelines

7.1. Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique.

7.1.1. The only exception to the waiting period rule is if the tattoo was received in a state that regulates the tattoo industry.

8. One of the reasons for this is because of the increasing popularity of body art

9. Sacrificing your own desires for the benefit of others is always commendable.