Due to the nature of motor vehicle accidents, it is not uncommon for victims to suffer numerous different injuries.
This includes the possibility of traumatic tattoos, which could potentially lead to much more serious complications if left unchecked.
Defining traumatic tattoos
The National Library of Medicine takes a look at traumatic tattoos and what they are. These “tattoos” typically occur when something embeds into the skin, either via an external force propelling it in, or if the victim ends up abraiding their skin on the surface of something.
Road rash is one potential cause of a traumatic tattoo, as an example. This involves the skin hitting a roadway surface at high speeds, usually with minimal or no protection. The friction caused in this action results in the sloughing away of flesh, with debris from the road getting wedged below the flesh.
Potential complications
If left untreated, road rash and other forms of traumatic tattoos can cause serious damage for the sufferers. In particular, the risk of infection is quite large. Anything embedded in the skin is not properly sanitized and can bring with it bacteria, viruses and more, which end up introduced to the bloodstream.
Additionally, when foreign bodies are present under the skin, the body itself will usually try to attack the foreign material. This can lead to inflammation, fever, pain, swelling, and worse. In severe cases, it might even lead to gangrene or sepsis, which are potentially life-threatening conditions.
Thus, it is crucial to clean traumatic tattoos and get them treated by medics as fast as possible.