Latest news with #QuinieceWashburn
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
She Wanted a Tattoo to Honor Her Late Brother. It Landed Her in the ICU
Quiniece Washburn wanted to honor her late brother after he died of an overdose, as the two were "pretty close" when they were growing up She got a portrait of his face on her leg, "so I knew that he would be with me," but the tattoo became painfully infected, causing her to need treatment in the ICU She's warning others to be careful about the cleanliness of their tattoo shop, as the experience was "traumatizing"A woman who wanted to honor her late brother with a tattoo of his face ended up with a dangerous infection — and a scar where his portrait should be. Quiniece Washburn said she and her brother were 'pretty close' growing up, according to Daily Mail. After her brother died of an overdose, the 36-year-old mom of two shared that she 'wanted to get the tattoo so I knew that he would be with me.' She researched a tattoo artist online and paid $350 for a portrait of her brother on her left calf. But as she told the outlet, she felt a painful, burning sensation while getting inked. When the tattoo artist was finished and wiped the tattoo down — a common practice, as tattoos can ooze blood and ink — Washburn said the tattoo leaked more than what's usually expected. Her tattoo began to form blisters, leaking fluid, she said. 'I could stick a white paper towel on the tattoo and the whole picture would be on it,' she explained. Washburn said it began to cause significant pain. 'When it got worse, I was having to drag my leg to walk, and I was limping. It was a horrible time for me. The pain was traumatizing, and it was upsetting because it was the face of my brother,' she shared. Washburn went to the hospital 10 times for intravenous antibiotics — until her condition grew so severe that she needed to be admitted to the ICU. That's when she was diagnosed with a devastating case of cellulitis. It's a skin infection caused by bacteria that enters the skin through a cut or crack, the Mayo Clinic explains. While there, doctors treated the infection, which she described as 'green infected stuff oozing out of me.' 'The hospital never said it was from dirty products, and I watched [the tattoo artist] unpack my needles, but people say if the [tattoo] gun isn't properly wiped, then that can cause infection,' Washburn, who wonders if 'someone else's fluids may still have been on the gun," explained. Aggressive antibiotic treatment helped clear up the infection, but Washburn said her tribute to her late brother is 'pretty ruined.' 'It has a lot of scar tissue on it and it's cracked. His face doesn't look the same at all, and it's kind of dark. I've been told not to touch it for a year, so I'm going to leave it as it is,' Washburn said. She added that the tattoo artist refunded her money and gave her $200 after learning what had happened. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She's sharing her ordeal to warn others. 'I'd tell people to watch your tattoo artist and make sure everything is clean,' Washburn told the outlet, calling the experience, 'traumatizing.' Read the original article on People
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Tattoo horror: Woman faces near-death crisis after artist's dangerous mistake; experts warn one negligence can lead to severe infection
In a shocking incident, a 36-year-old woman suffered a severe health crisis after getting a tattoo. Yes, you read that right; a woman experienced a near-death condition after getting her in memoriam tattoo that became infected and began oozing green and yellow pus, reported the Daily Mail. The woman, identified as Quiniece Washburn, quoted in the report that her brother died from an overdose, and she wanted to get the tattoo so she knew that he would be with her. Further, the report mentioned that the woman paid $350 (INR 29,050) to ink her brother's face on her left calf. She said, during the session, she felt a minor burning sensation and experienced some pain when the artist wiped down her tattoo. But little did she know that the tattoo would turn fatal this soon. Tattoo turns deadly after a minor burning sensation According to the woman, after leaving the appointment, she noticed the tattoo leaking ink, and soon after this, it began oozing a bloody and yellow pus, while she developed a severe pain that forced her to drag herself behind till her home. 'When it got worse, I was having to drag my leg to walk, and I was limping. It was a horrible time for me. The pain was traumatising, and it was upsetting because it was the face of my brother,' Washburn quoted in the report. Credit: Pexels Following this, the woman had to be admitted to the hospital, where she received antibiotics but would wind up needing to return for IV treatments around 10 times before she was finally admitted to the ICU for the infection. Woman was diagnosed with bacterial cellulitis after getting a tattoo done After the hospitalisation and tests, doctors diagnosed her with bacterial cellulitis, a condition that can cause high fevers, chills, numbness, burning and immense pain. "Tattoos can potentially lead to bacterial infections if proper hygiene and aftercare are not followed," says Dr Divya Joshi, consultant in infectious diseases, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road. "If proper sterilisation and hygiene are not maintained and needles are reused, it can lead to the transmission of blood-borne infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, causing serious health problems." When do tattoos turn into bacterial infections, and what are the risks? When bacteria enter the skin through the tattoo wound, infections can occur. According to Dr. Joshi, "Risks include redness, swelling, increased pain, and pus. If left untreated, infections can spread and lead to more severe conditions like abscesses or sepsis." Certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can cause infections. To minimise risks, it's crucial to choose a reputable tattoo artist, follow aftercare instructions, and monitor the tattoo site for signs of infection, seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. Prompt treatment can prevent complications. Preventive tips to follow before and after getting a tattoo Getting a tattoo is a personal and permanent decision, so it's important to be cautious and plan carefully. "Make sure to choose a reputable and licensed tattoo artist who follows strict hygiene practices," warns Dr Shareefa Chause, dermatologist at the Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai. Check their portfolio properly and ensure the studio is following all the guidelines, using sterile equipment and disposable needles. Credit: Pexels Dr. Chause adds, "Prompt hygiene will help prevent unpleasant allergies and infections. Then ensure an appropriate design and placement of your tattoo. Pick something meaningful and avoid trends that may not age well." Tattoos on certain areas, like fingers and feet, may fade faster or hurt more, so consider your pain tolerance and lifestyle. Avoid sensitive areas, so say NO to lips, eyes, ears, and nose. If you have any health conditions like diabetes, allergies, or skin issues, talk to your doctor beforehand. "Don't get a tattoo if you're sick, pregnant, or healing from surgery. Before your appointment, eat a good meal, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol or blood-thinning medications," says Dr. Chause. Aftercare of Tattoos: Aftercare is just as important, so follow your artist's instructions, keep the tattoo clean, and avoid sun exposure or swimming until it's healed. Dr. Chause notes, "Follow the guidelines given by the expert. Taking the right precautions can help prevent infections, allergic reactions, and regret later on. The tattoo should be safe and not a matter of concern." Remember, it is permanent, and there is no room for errors. So, choose a tattoo artist wisely.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I almost died getting a tattoo after artist made dangerous mistake... here is my warning to others
A grieving sister seeking to keep her deceased brother near suffered a severe health crisis after her in memoriam tattoo became infected and began oozing green and yellow pus. Quiniece Washburn said her brother died from an overdose and she 'wanted to get the tattoo so I knew that he would be with me.' She added: 'We were pretty close and grew up in the same household, so he and my brothers would look after me.' The 36-year-old mom of two paid $350 to ink her brother's face on her left calf. During the session, she felt a minor burning sensation and experienced some pain when the artist wiped down her tattoo. After leaving the appointment, however, she noticed the tattoo leaking ink. Soon after, it began oozing a bloody and yellow pus, while she developed such severe pain she was forced her to drag her leg behind her as she walked. 'When it got worse, I was having to drag my leg to walk, and I was limping. It was a horrible time for me. The pain was traumatizing, and it was upsetting because it was the face of my brother,' Washburn said. She went to the hospital where she received antibiotics but would wind up needing to return for IV treatments around 10 times before she was finally admitted to the ICU for the infection. There, doctors diagnosed her with bacterial cellulitis, which can cause high fevers, chills, numbness, burning, and a host of other painful effects. Getting treated quickly is crucial to stop cellulitis from spreading and causing serious complications. Doctors often start with antibiotics — either pills, injections, or IV drips for severe infections. In tougher cases, surgery may be needed to drain pus or cut away dead tissue. Washburn said: 'There's a picture where it looks like there's green infected stuff oozing out of me. That was taken while I was in the hospital.' While not exactly sure what the source of the infection was, Washburn said: 'The hospital never said it was from dirty products, and I watched him unpack my needles, but people say if the gun isn't properly wiped, then that can cause infection as well,' she added. 'Someone else's fluids may still have been on the gun.' The most common bacterial infections that can result from a tattoo are Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, which include strains that lead to necrotizing fasciitis (decaying flesh) and toxic shock syndrome. The artist she saw was new to her, but she had done her research and liked his work. But during her session, she felt a burning sensation, especially when the artist wiped his work to clean away excess ink, blood, and plasma (the clear fluid your body leaks when it's injured). When the ink penetrates the skin, a mix of ink and bodily fluids rises to the surface. After Washburn's session with the artist, plasma began leaking from the tattoo more than what is typical. Fluid began to leak beneath the surface of her swollen skin, forming oozing blisters until her brother's face became unrecognizable. 'I could stick a white paper towel on the tattoo and the whole picture would be on it,' she said. After around two weeks of aggressive treatment with oral and IV antibiotics, 'it's pretty ruined.' She added: 'It has a lot of scar tissue on it and it's cracked. His face doesn't look the same at all, and it's kind of dark. 'I've been told not to touch it for a year, so I'm going to leave it as it is.' Ultimately, the artist refunded Washburn the full price of the work and gave her an additional $200. 'I'd tell people to watch your tattoo artist and make sure everything is clean,' she said.
