Where is the Most Painful Place to Get a Tattoo?

This question can actually refer to two different things. One, where (as in location of studio) is one aspect of this question. The other, where (on the body) is the least painful place to get a tattoo is the other aspect of this question.

Attacking the first reference, obviously, the least painful place to get a tattoo is in a licensed, professional tattoo studio. A lot of people will ask why. Here's the reasons. If you go to someone doing tattoos out of their home, or perhaps in a flea market, or an outdoor event, where a tattoo artist is working out in the dirty environment, you risk having an inexperienced tattoo artist butcher your skin. One of the reasons they don't work in a licensed studio may be because their skills just aren't up to par with what is expected of an artist in a studio. Another reason may be that they are just learning. Another reason may be that if they did tattoos in a studio like they do in their homes, chances are they would get no repeat business and this would have a negative effect on the studio. Another reason may be that they cause scarring when they tattoo because of the mistaken assumption that to get the ink to stay better in the skin, they have to go real deep. This is not so.

A professional tattoo artist has been trained to put the ink below the dead layer of the skin at the outside. If the ink is put into the dead layer that sloughs off the ink will not stay and lines and fill in areas will appear splotchy and weak. If the artist puts the ink below the living layer where new skin cells are generated, they are going too deep. This can cause the ink to spread under the skin so edges become spider webbed or there is a bluish or greenish glow around the edges of the tattoo. By going too deep, they also risk causing permanent raised scars on the client. Inexperienced tattoo artists have difficulty in controlling their needle depth and clients complain that the tattoo experience hurts excessively. It also causes healing to take an unusually long time to heal and because the ink is put too deeply into the skin, the tattoo can appear murky and indistinct, colors appear dull, and spread in uncontrollable ways under the skin in the fat layer below the skin.

Now on to the second part of this question. Where does it hurt the least to get a tattoo? The places on the body that seem easiest for clients to tolerate are the upper back, outer arms, outer calves, and buttocks. These areas get more friction in normal daily actions and so are more used to being touched. On the arms and legs, some of the more painful areas are the elbows, inside the elbows, the knees, inside the knees, the wrists and ankles.
Ribs, front torso, underarms are very uncomfortable. Feet and hands are not easy either. Necks can be good or bad, depends on the person. Lower backs seem to also be painful.

Pain is a funny thing. If you have had pain in your life, you tend to take the feeling of getting a tattoo better. If you are young, never had significant pain in your body or are one of those with a low tolerance for pain, chances are you will be uncomfortable no matter where the tattoo is put. Women in general tolerate the feeling better than men. But, men who have been through military or law enforcement training seem to do better.

If you have never had a tattoo, it is difficult to describe the feeling. Some relate it to a cat scratch or bee sting. Some say it feels like being burned or branded. Some say it feels like razor cuts. Without a doubt it is an acquired taste. Since the body has never had this sensation before, it tends to try to relate it to something within your realm of experience. After you get one or two, it gets easier to take. The trick is to relax during the process. A relaxed body is not fighting the pain by tensing up. Tensing up makes the surface of the skin harder and thus makes it harder to get the tattoo ink in the proper layer of skin. Holding your breath will make you pass out. By all means, make sure you have a good meal about 2 hours before starting the tattoo process. Getting a tattoo on an empty stomach can cause problems. The sensation of pain releases endorphins from the brain that is the body's way of protecting itself from pain sensations. It can also cause a drop in the blood's sugar level that can lead to passing out. Many people claim to be addicted to tattoos, and this may suggest that they are really more into getting the endorphin release than the tattoo, imho.

The best thing to remember when getting a tattoo is that there is an end to the process. A small tattoo can take under 10 minutes. Larger pieces take longer. My experience has been that the body has a natural tolerance barrier. This is about 3 hours. After 3 hours, I find that clients become more uncomfortable, more of the plasma leaks from their skin, this dilutes the ink and makes it harder to get good coverage. At this 3 hour mark I also notice that the skin can become pebble-like with areas where it appears to be harder thus making giving the tattoo more difficult.

Large tattoos can be broken into several sittings. The first sitting usually will involve getting all the outline work done. This is because matching up stencil pieces can be difficult to nearly impossible and if only part of the outline is completed in one sitting, chances are the second sitting produces inferior results. Once the outline has been completed, there is no problem letting the outlines heal before beginning any of the fill in process. Dark colors seem easier to get into the skin. Lighter colors may sometimes need to be gone over twice to get the full effect of the pigment. It is not uncommon when doing large black tribal pieces and pieces with large pastel colors to have the customer come back within 3 weeks to have a second 'coat' of ink put in the tattoo. This gives the artist a good look at how you take care of the tattoo during the healing process and the opportunity to 'touch up' any small spots that may need it.

Clients will swear that they followed the after care instructions, but as a trained professional in the business for many years, I have come to recognize the tell-tale signs of neglect or picking at the tattoo during the healing process. Letting the tattoo dry out, using petroleum products, picking at the scabs, exposure to sun and water, wearing tight clothes or shoes over a fresh tattoo, not washing the tattoo frequently, and using too much lotion on the tattoo during healing can all have adverse effects on the final outcome of the healed tattoo.

The final result of where hurts the least are variable. A lot depends on whether it is your first tattoo or not, where you desire the tattoo to be placed, how large the tattoo is, how well you tolerate pain and how well you take care of it during the healing process. During the actual process of tattooing, if you need to take a break, remember, don't take too long of a break or once you sit again to continue the tattoo, you may find it more painful than if you took no break at all. Getting tattoos in unusual locations on the body can be more painful than getting it in the normal locations. You must weigh your desire for placement with how well you tolerate pain. You must make logical decisions based on how large the tattoo will be and whether you are up for sitting for a longer period during the process. You must decide what is best for you. Unfortunately, I know of no areas on the body where it doesn't hurt to get a tattoo, but it doesn't hurt that much, and as an adult, you can always let your mind wander instead of concentrating on the sensation. Go to your happy place and you'll do fine!

Keeping Up With Your Pet's Health - Vaccinate With Rabies Shots

A slow, agonizing virus leading to extreme lethargy, madness, and an eventual, but certain death - doesn't sound very appealing, does it? If you do not vaccinate with rabies shots, your dog or cat faces an uncertain future. Rabies is one of the worst viruses that can affect your pet, and with no preventative measures, such as its annual rabies shots, mortality is, unfortunately, assured. When you vaccinate with rabies shots, you are choosing to extend the life of your pet, protect the community, and follow the letter of the law.

All pet owners should know that rabies is a disease that is caused by a virus that is transmitted from animal to animal and animal to human via a scratch or bite that causes a break in the skin. The virus is in the saliva of an infected animal. Because rabies is fatal to the animal or a human who contracts it, it is vitally important for pet owners to have their vet vaccinate for rabies with either a one year or three year vaccine. In certain regions and/or states with high levels of rabies reports, such as Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania (1), you must vaccinate with rabies shots at least once a year.

What Is Rabies Anyway?

The rabies virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. A huge problem in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, rabies kills more than 50,000 people and animals worldwide each year; however, most pet owners do not vaccinate for rabies in these regions. Once contracted through a bite or scratch, the virus begins attacking the peripheral nerve cells and central nervous system, which largely consists of the spinal cord and brain (2). The virus works fast, but it is a drawn-out, painful death at best.

Depending upon where the animal was bitten, it may take awhile for symptoms to show. Without any preventative rabies shots, the symptoms begin to appear and the animal normally only has a week to a week and a half to live. Contraction of the rabies virus in animals is broken down into three phases: prodromal, furious, and paralytic (3). During the prodromal phase, the dog or cat will show signs of apprehension and anxiety as well as develop a fever, although cats often exhibit more irregular behavior. The furious phase sees cats and dogs highly irritable, more vicious, and lashing out at anything that moves. The paralytic phrase can occur after either the prodromal or furious phases - breathing becomes more labored and vital organs freeze up. There have been stories of pet owners trying to dislodge a foreign object from the animal's mouth because they were unaware that the dog had contracted the rabies virus. The animal eventually lapses into respiratory failure and dies (4). When you vaccinate for rabies, you help your dog or cat avoid all of this pain and suffering, which can easily be prevented with annual rabies shots - quickly and rather inexpensively.

Practice Caution - Vaccinate for Rabies Regularly

Animals most at risk for exposure to rabies are stray dogs and cats that frequently roam in and around wooded areas that bring them in close proximity to wildlife that are the carriers of rabies. Wildlife carriers often include raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks, and bats.

Pet owners should also be cautious by avoiding contact with wildlife that are normally nocturnal (active at night) and are normally fearful of and avoid contact with humans. Rabid wildlife are not fearful of humans and may aggressively attack. Be careful of leaving food outside for cats and dogs, which tends to attract wildlife and brings them up close and personal with our pets. Also, be careful about approaching cats and dogs that appear to be feral or roaming about. One bite or scratch is all it takes for exposure to rabies to occur, and if the animal that bites cannot be captured, prophylactic treatment for rabies may be necessary. Unfortunately as well, any preventative measures in the form of rabies shots are far too late to be administered at this point.

It is also vitally important to report all animal to animal and animal to human bites to the animal control agency in whichever county or area the bite occurs. Many people are reluctant to do this if the offending animal belongs to a neighbor or someone they know. However, if the vaccination history of the dog or cat that bites is not known, then the animal or person bitten is at risk for exposure. Pets should be safely confined and dogs should be on leash when off their property. Finally, once you vaccinate for rabies, make sure your pet wears its rabies tag at all times.

Neglect is Costly: Maintain Current Rabies Shots

Rabies shots for dogs and cats are required by the law for the life of the pet. Neglecting to keep you and your family, your pet, and your community safe from rabies is a costly mistake and one that should never be allowed to occur. You have the power to vaccinate your pet from this easily preventable virus. Remember, keeping up-to-date and choosing to vaccinate with rabies shots is the first line of defense to keep the public safe from this deadly disease.

Sources

1. CDC.gov/ncidod/dvrd/kidsrabies/Statistics/usmap.htm
2. CDC.gov/ncidod/dvrd/kidsrabies/TheVirus/rabvir.htm
3. PetEducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1556&aid=347
4. Ibid.

Measles Rash - Symptoms, Treatment and Information on the Vaccine

Though not spoken about as much today, catching the measles is still a reality for children as well as adults. Also known as rubeola, the measles are caused by the measles virus which is very contagious and brings a painful, spotty, red rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. It is accompanied by a fever, coughing, runny nose and watery eyes; in rare cases, pneumonia or an ear infection may develop. If not treated, it may bring fatal results or permanent brain damage.

Though the symptoms themselves may last a week on average, the process of catching this rash can occur over a period of time if not careful. It usually starts when a person with the measles virus coughs or sneezes into the air. The infected mist is contagious for at least two hours, whether it stays in the air or lands on a surface. The measles virus can be spread four days before getting a rash and four days afterward. A measles rash can appear almost two weeks after being exposed to the virus.

The best way to treat a measles rash is to use a cortisone cream or calamine lotion to relieve itching. Ibuprofen or aspirin may be taken to reduce fever along with plenty of fluids and bed rest. There is no actual cure but it can be prevented with a vaccine. The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine can be given to children as young a one year. Anyone who has not received the MMR vaccine but anticipate traveling to Europe or other parts of the world are strongly encouraged to get a shot as there have been recent outbreaks in the United Kingdom. I personally had the measles when I was young and was told my fever was over 104 degrees. The vaccine was available a year later.

How To Treat Cat Bites And Prevent Getting Bitten Again

All cat owners will know that there are times when the cat will nip at you. A cat bite can result in anywhere from a little gash to an open wound. For those who are cat owners or simply have infrequent contact with cats

Why Would a Cat Bite Someone?

Typically, cats bite for two reasons only. Firstly, you may have been playing too rough with your frisky feline, which causes your cat to respond with a chomp. Also, cats may bite if they are annoyed with something you did or if they are simply feeling annoyed. Cats love to have their own space and they may respond angrily if someone does not respect that.

How to Treat Cat Bites

You could treat cat bites by washing the cut with soap, applying antibacterial cream and pasting a plaster over the wound. The ensures that the wound is clean and the chances of a bacteria infection is eliminated.

What is the Cat Scratch Disease?

A bite or scratch from a cat may lead to a more serious disease known as the cat scratch disease. The cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by a cat's bite or scratch. It can also be caused when a cat licks an open wound. The bacteria is transmitted to cats by fleas, which is in turn transmitted to people via the cat's saliva. Cat scratch disease in cats does not harm the cat itself but provides problems for the person bitten, scratched, or licked.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

The main symptom of cat scratch disease is the swelling of the lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, headache, fatigue or sore throat.

Treatment of Cat Scratch Disease

Practically all occurrences of cat scratch disease will go away on their own. Over-the-counter medication love Tylenol or ibuprofen could help relieve the pain in the lymph nodes. When in doubt, consult a doctor to seek treatment because some of the more severe cases of cat scratch disease may require prescription antibiotics to heal.

Prevention of Cat Scratch Disease

The simplest way to avoid getting cat scratch disease is by the prevention of cat bites and scratches. You should step back whenever a cat shows any of the following warning signs love hissing, meowing in an angry tone, moving their ears backwards or harmlessly swiping you. Also, always remember to wash your hands after you have touched a cat. Thirdly, if you are bitten or scratched by a cat, be sure to wash your wound right away.

Facts About AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or commonly known as AIDS is a disease caused by immune system breakdown. The main source of this is the HIV or human immunodeficiency virus.

AIDS claims 4.87% of all deaths worldwide per year, ranking it 8th overall killer disease according to World Health Organization. Don't be confused about the characteristic of this virus because this won't be the main cause of death. The virus attacks the immune system of the body making it very weak then our body becomes more susceptible to many diseases and infections which leads to death itself.

According to Wikipedia, HIV can be acquired by transmitting or direct contact of the bloodstream with a bodily fluid which has HIV. Fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, preseminal fluid and blood. Activities like anal, oral or vaginal sex, blood transfusion, breast feeding, mother and child pregnancy, contaminated hypodermic needles and other means of physical contact with fluids mention above are main cause of acquiring this virus.

AIDS is now a worldwide problem. Making everyone prone to the disease even children. It is said that developing or third world countries are hit mostly by this virus because of the status of their economy. Making people strive for sexual activities as their main occupation. World governing bodies such as United Nation, are always looking for solutions to lessen the number of cases in these areas. Solutions such as proper use of condoms, safe sex and needle disposal programmes.

Symptoms of AIDS are commonly seen with people having a weak immune system. Carriers of this virus always posses the following diseases.

High fever
Chilling
Abrupt weight loss
Swollen Glands
Always sweating
Skin allergies
Cancers and tumors

If you are diagnosed with AIDS, you can still prolong your life by strengthening your immune system. Remember that infections will kill you, not the virus itself. By strengthening your immune system, the virus will take less impact in your health.

Some of the simple ways to strengthen our immune system.

Exercise regularly
Eat healthy
Skip sweet foods
Don't eat fried foods
Eat fruits and vegetables
Always be clean and tidy
Stay away with your vices
Avoid sick people
Take enough sleep
Take supplements especially Zinc which is the main core of our cell's DNA. Zinc also provides to keep our immune system intact.
Always be happy and treat every moment as a blessing.

Our main protection against this virus is still prevention. Prevent to have multiple partners in life. Be faithful to your partner all the time.

What is Scarlet Fever - Tips For Treating it Properly

Scarlet fever, an illness caused by the same bacteria found in cases of strep throat, was once a deadly disease greatly feared by parents of young children. However, due to modern antibiotics, it is no longer considered a serious ailment but is similar in intensity to catching a bad flu, strep throat, or the chicken pox. It mostly affects school-age children, though usually not toddlers, and while uncomfortable, with proper treatment should not cause any major complications. This article should inform the reader not only how to diagnose scarlet fever, but what should be done to treat it.

Scarlet fever is a tricky condition to diagnose because at first, it appears as strep throat would, with a fever and a sore throat. However, 1-2 days after the fever begins (usually 101 degrees or more) a reddish rash should begin to appear on the neck and chest, later spreading across the body and sometimes to the face as well. The identifying feature of this rash is that it should be bumpy and 'sandpaper-ish' and at the start may simply look like a bad sunburn. Because it may be itchy, it's important to use a soothing lotion with ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera to avoid skin damage. Other important signals are the characteristic 'strawberry' tongue, or a bright red tongue, abdominal pain, and swollen lymph nodes along the throat.

While scarlet fever may not seem to be more serious than the flu in its symptoms, it is critical to treat it seriously and immediately go to a physician to get antibiotics. This is not the sort of illness you can wait out or simply buy over the counter cold medicine for; if left untreated, scarlet fever can cause serious complications, most notably rheumatoid fever, a condition that can permanently weaken the heart valves. The doctor will most likely give you a clinical examination, swab your throat to check for signs of the strep bacteria, and prescribe you a 10-day course of standard antibiotics. Remember to continue to take the antibiotics for the full duration of the prescription even if your symptoms appear to disappear after the first couple of days; this ensures that you will remove all bacterial infection from your body.

Upon beginning to take the course of antibiotics, the fever should begin to fade after a couple of days and the sore throat should subside quickly. The skin around the area affected by the rash will begin to peel off 3-4 days after the rash's appearance and may continue peeling for 10 days, but the rash itself may not go away fully for up to 2-3 weeks. People infected will no longer be contagious 24 hours after they begin taking antibiotics, but until then, it is highly contagious. If you should develop new symptoms or there does not appear to be an affect after taking antibiotics for 24 hours, you should contact your doctor immediately because there may be a new infection that needs treatment.

Cat Diseases - Feline Leukaemia

Just as humans can, cats can suffer from fatal health issues. One of the commonest and most deadly cat diseases is feline Leukaemia.

It is often thought that feline leukaemia is a cancer but it is actually a virus and highly infectious, which can cause cancer. In fact it is a retrovirus known as FeLV which means that as a cat disease, it can only affect cats and cannot be passed to humans or dogs.

FeLV is estimated to infect one to two percent of normal, healthy cats. Cats which regularly go outside are at far greater risk than cats which are kept inside and males contract the infection more often than females and kittens even more so.

This cat disease is commonly transmitted in saliva, through communal food and water bowls, nose to nose greetings and bites. Other means of transmission are urine and faeces so shared litter trays can be a risk. There are additional risks of a pregnant cat passing the disease to her kittens.

If a cat is infected with FeLV the virus will be detectable in the bloodstream about two to four weeks afterwards. However, the infected cat may not display any symptoms; if it does, these are likely to be fever, lethargy, diarrhoea and swollen lymph nodes.

Some cats will not develop the infection because exposure was slight, others will develop an infection which is latent in other words it is suppressed by the cat's immune system and is usually not infectious. Yet others will be permanently infected with FeLV and will carry and pass on the virus. These cats will almost certainly develop other cat diseases within a couple of years and these could be related to immunodeficiency and consequent infections, anaemia, enlarged lymph nodes or platelet disorders or cancer. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg and there are likely to be many other manifestations.

There are vaccines against feline leukaemia and cat owner should have all their cats vaccinated annually. However, these vaccines are not one hundred percent effective, so animals which go out a lot and share a house should be tested for this cat disease.