Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment
Tattoos are commonly accepted as a lifestyle choice, with an estimated 10-20% of the global population having a tattoo. Burn injuries in tattooed skin can be challenging to assess, and incorrect management can lead to an unnecessary burden on resources. This may lead to preventable patient morbidity...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Burns |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijburns.com/article.asp?issn=0971-653X;year=2022;volume=30;issue=1;spage=87;epage=90;aulast=Chu |
| _version_ | 1797775203929948160 |
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| author | Howard Chu Janak Bechar Jolita Zakaraite John Dickson |
| author_facet | Howard Chu Janak Bechar Jolita Zakaraite John Dickson |
| author_sort | Howard Chu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tattoos are commonly accepted as a lifestyle choice, with an estimated 10-20% of the global population having a tattoo. Burn injuries in tattooed skin can be challenging to assess, and incorrect management can lead to an unnecessary burden on resources. This may lead to preventable patient morbidity. We present a case series of patients presenting to our unit with burn injuries on tattooed skin, and discuss recommendations for assessing and optimising care in this cohort. Four male patients aged 23 to 50 years old are discussed in this study, with burn injuries to limb tattooed skin. One patient underwent surgical management and upon a test shave of the apparent full thickness burn with tattoo pigmentation, showed a bleeding dermis which would indicate a more superficial burn. A second patient had burn depth masked a colour tattoo that mimicked a mid to deep dermal burn. We highlight the difficulties in assessing patients with burn injuries in tattooed skin and the importance of ensuring the correct diagnosis in depth of burn. This is to allow optimal treatment and avoid potential complications that may occur as a result of misdiagnosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:32:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2e9fee7a27bd4bd7a46e88380c6519f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0971-653X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:32:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Burns |
| spelling | doaj.art-2e9fee7a27bd4bd7a46e88380c6519f12023-07-21T14:49:05ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Burns0971-653X2022-01-01301879010.4103/ijb.ijb_7_22Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatmentHoward ChuJanak BecharJolita ZakaraiteJohn DicksonTattoos are commonly accepted as a lifestyle choice, with an estimated 10-20% of the global population having a tattoo. Burn injuries in tattooed skin can be challenging to assess, and incorrect management can lead to an unnecessary burden on resources. This may lead to preventable patient morbidity. We present a case series of patients presenting to our unit with burn injuries on tattooed skin, and discuss recommendations for assessing and optimising care in this cohort. Four male patients aged 23 to 50 years old are discussed in this study, with burn injuries to limb tattooed skin. One patient underwent surgical management and upon a test shave of the apparent full thickness burn with tattoo pigmentation, showed a bleeding dermis which would indicate a more superficial burn. A second patient had burn depth masked a colour tattoo that mimicked a mid to deep dermal burn. We highlight the difficulties in assessing patients with burn injuries in tattooed skin and the importance of ensuring the correct diagnosis in depth of burn. This is to allow optimal treatment and avoid potential complications that may occur as a result of misdiagnosis.http://www.ijburns.com/article.asp?issn=0971-653X;year=2022;volume=30;issue=1;spage=87;epage=90;aulast=Chuchallengesdepthtattoo |
| spellingShingle | Howard Chu Janak Bechar Jolita Zakaraite John Dickson Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment Indian Journal of Burns challenges depth tattoo |
| title | Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| title_full | Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| title_fullStr | Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| title_short | Burn depth assessment in tattooed patients: Diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| title_sort | burn depth assessment in tattooed patients diagnostic challenges and potential pitfalls in treatment |
| topic | challenges depth tattoo |
| url | http://www.ijburns.com/article.asp?issn=0971-653X;year=2022;volume=30;issue=1;spage=87;epage=90;aulast=Chu |
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