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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Piercing and Tattoos > Symptoms during tattoo
    Posted on: 01/12/2007

    Question

    What would cause a person to become jaundice in the face, their lips turn blue, become dizzy and week, have tunnel vision and vomit when getting tattooed? This was my second tattoo, the first went smoothly, I fell asleep. This was going smoothly, my symptoms appeared very suddenly. Maybe the artist hit a nerve?

    Answer

    Many will have a reaction to needles, whether giving blood or having a shot, with dizziness and even fainting. This "vasovagal" reaction as it's known does not usually cause vomiting or blue lips. It's probably a good idea to discuss these symptoms with your doctor to make sure other tests do not need to be done.


    Answered By:
    John Boggs , M.D.


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