Are you that kind of person who celebrates milestones of your life with getting a tattoo? These milestones could be anything, including the things you achieved, or the things you could not achieve but taught you a lesson. If you are this person, then you must have wondered if you can donate blood with all the tattoos on your body? There are lots of rumors on how can one donate blood, or if at all they are allowed to donate blood. So let's get into its nitty gritty!

As per American Red Cross, in most states, a tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity. Which means the tattoo artist must be licensed and must practice following all the guidelines, using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. The same is the guideline for cosmetic tattoos, which includes microblading of eyebrows. If it is done by a licensed artist in a regulated state, then it is acceptable.

However, if you got your tattoo in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities, you must wait three months after it was applied.

The states that do not regulate tattoo facilities are:

• Arizona
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
• Wyoming

Body Piercing

Similar is the case with body piercings. It has to be done following the regulation, here the key is that the instrument used has to be a single-use equipment and disposable. Which means if you are getting it by a gun, or an earring cassette, they have to be disposable. In case you got your piercing with a reusable gun or a reusable instrument, you will be required to wait for three months.

Three-Month Wait Period

The reason behind the wait time is associated with the concerns of hepatitis, which could be easily transmitted from donors to patients through transfusion. All blood donations are thus tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with several tests. However, not always are these tests are perfect, thus the three-month period is given.

What Dangers Loom Over?

Donating blood after getting a tattoo can be dangerous as unclean tattoo needle could carry bloodborne viruses, which are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its guideline, making the wait time shorter from one year to three months. This is because if you contract a bloodborne illness, it could be detectable within the period of 3 months.

What else makes you ineligible to donate blood?

There are other reasons why you may not be allowed to donate blood. As per the American Red Cross, you are not allowed to donate blood if you have

• hepatitis B or C
• HIV
• Chagas disease, which is a parasitic infection that kissing bugs cause
• leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that sand flies cause
• Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare disorder that leads to mental deterioration
• Ebola virus
• hemochromatosis, which means extreme build up of iron
• hemophilia
• jaundice
• sickle cell disease

As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blood Bank, these conditions make you permanently ineligible from donating blood.

While there are certain conditions that makes your permanently ineligible, there are other conditions that makes you temporarily ineligible from donating blood. These include:

• If you have a bleeding condition, and have issues with your blood clotting
• If you have received transfusion from a person
• If you have cancer. Here, the eligibility depend son the type of cancer you have
• If you have recently underwent a dental or oral surgery. In such a case, you would have to wait for three days
• If you had a recent heart attack, heart surgery or angina. You must wait for 6 months
• If you are pregnant, you can only donate blood after 6 months after delivering your child

Doctors usually recommend taking daily medications in the morning, making it part of a morning routine. However, recent research suggests that taking blood pressure (BP) medications at night may provide additional cardiovascular protection. Still, consistency like taking your BP medicine at the same time every day—is more important than whether it’s morning or evening.

Numerous studies have examined the timing of BP medications, but none have produced conclusive evidence favoring morning or evening doses. To gain more insight, we spoke with Dr. Kiran Aithal, Vice Principal, Professor, and HOD of General Medicine at SDMCMS&H, SDM University, Dharwad who shared his perspective on the topic.

When Is The Best Time To Take Blood Pressure Medicine?

One of the largest trials, including over 21,000 participants, did not find clear evidence that taking BP medication in the morning is superior to taking it at night. Dr. Kiran suggests linking the timing to a daily activity that’s hard to forget, like breakfast or dinner, so doses aren’t missed. Skipping a dose is a common reason for hypertensive emergencies.

Dr Kiran said, “Sometimes, patients on multiple BP medications may need to split doses between morning and night, following the doctor’s instructions. Certain drugs, such as diuretics, are advised in the morning as they can increase urination. In some patients whose blood pressure doesn’t naturally dip at night (detectable through Ambulatory BP monitoring), physicians may recommend taking medication at night to achieve better control. Following your doctor’s advice is key.”

In general, most BP medications can be taken either in the morning or evening. The critical factor is taking them consistently at the same time every day to prevent complications. It’s important to remember that hypertension cannot be cured but can be effectively controlled. Lifestyle changes combined with regular, timely medication are crucial for managing high blood pressure successfully.

What Should You Avoid While Taking Blood Pressure Medicine?

Certain foods, drinks, and medications can interfere with blood pressure medicines. These include grapefruit juice, high-potassium foods, and salt substitutes, as well as alcohol and caffeine. Over-the-counter drugs like decongestants and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) should also be avoided.

Some herbal supplements, including St. John’s Wort and licorice, can affect your blood pressure, and recreational drugs should be completely avoided. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication, supplement, or making significant changes to your diet, says the Heart Organisation.

Understanding Blood Pressure Categories

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). Based on these readings, blood pressure is classified as normal, elevated, or high. A normal reading is below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure falls between 120–129 systolic with a diastolic under 80. Stage 1 hypertension is defined as 130–139 systolic or 80–89 diastolic, while Stage 2 hypertension is 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic.

Readings of 180/120 or above are considered a hypertensive crisis and require immediate medical attention, according to the Heart Organisation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication, diet, or lifestyle.

Flu season has arrived earlier than expected in the U.K., with cases starting to rise in October, over a month before epidemiologists typically anticipate the season to begin. Fueling this surge is a new flu variant, which, while flu viruses constantly evolve, has accumulated an unusually high number of mutations in a short span.

“This strain has changed faster than usual, showing more mutations than we typically observe,” explains Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

What Is Subclade K?

These mutations make the virus slightly different from the components included in this year’s updated flu vaccines. At the end of October, Canadian scientists highlighted that the changes needed close monitoring, including regular sequencing of the virus and evaluation of whether current vaccines remain effective.

On November 12, Lopez Bernal and the UKHSA team shared early findings suggesting that, so far, vaccination continues to offer significant protection against hospitalization and severe illness.

Still, the level of protection resembles what is usually seen late in the flu season, when the vaccine’s effectiveness naturally decreases and the mismatch between the virus and the vaccine rises.

Subclade K Symptoms

The subclade K (H3N2) flu variant causes the same classic flu symptoms, though some doctors have observed that it may lead to more severe illness in some cases. There are no symptoms unique to subclade K; the main concern is its rapid spread and ability to bypass some immunity, according to the NHS.

Typical flu symptoms associated with subclade K include:

• Sudden high fever and chills
• Fatigue and overall weakness
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• Dry, chesty cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Diarrhea or vomiting (more common in children)

Is Subclade K In The U.S.?

During the U.S. government shutdown, the flu-tracking site run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not been updated. As of Nov. 13, the most recent data is from late September, when flu activity was low.

However, the New York State Department of Health reported that for the week ending Nov. 1, laboratory-confirmed flu cases had risen by 49% from the previous week, and hospitalizations were up 71%, matching roughly the levels from the same time last year. These figures don’t include subtyping, so it’s unclear whether the subclade K variant has reached the U.S. yet.

Subclade K Flu: How To Stay Safe

Vaccination remains the best defense against the flu. Influenza claims thousands of lives annually and poses a particular threat to children and older adults.

“Children are at higher risk of serious illness from flu, so it’s crucial they get vaccinated. This also protects their relatives, especially vulnerable or elderly family members who may be exposed,” advises Lopez Bernal of the UK Health Security Agency. Even with the mutations seen in this new variant, the vaccine remains a key tool in protecting against severe disease.

Carol Saffran began taking Ozempic a year ago to manage her blood sugar after other treatments hadn’t worked. She was prediabetic, meaning her blood sugar was higher than normal, and her doctor prescribed Ozempic to help prevent diabetes. She has since reached near her ideal weight and has a checkup scheduled soon to monitor her blood sugar, but after increasing to the highest dose, she noticed something unexpected.

“I would brush my hair and notice more hair than usual on the brush,” said Saffran, 71, from the greater Boston area, as per CNN. “It’s not falling out in clumps, but it’s definitely thinner. My hair isn’t as full as it used to be.”

Dr. Farah Moustafa, a hair loss specialist and director of laser and cosmetic treatments at Tufts Medical Center, diagnosed her with telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss caused by stress on the body. In Saffran’s case, the stress was the significant weight loss she experienced while on Ozempic.

Carol Saffran said her hair isn’t as full as it was before taking a GLP-1 drug. Courtesy Carol Saffran

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Hair grows in four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). Normally, anagen lasts the longest, as per Cleveland Clinic.

Telogen effluvium pushes an unusually high number of hair follicles into the telogen phase, causing more shedding than usual. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained that telogen effluvium often appears after periods of stress such as childbirth, anesthesia, or rapid dieting.

“Any time people lose a significant amount of weight quickly, it can trigger telogen effluvium, where more hair follicles enter the shedding phase prematurely,” said Dr. Aron Nusbaum, a dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon at the Miami Hair Institute.

He added that this type of hair loss can appear three to six months after a triggering event, whether it’s physical stress, emotional stress, hormonal changes, major weight loss, or a new medication.

When the body is stressed, it prioritizes essential functions over nonessential ones, like hair growth. “Hair is a nonessential appendage,” Rossi said. Experts agree that the major cause of hair loss among GLP-1 users appears to be the significant weight loss rather than the medication itself.

Malnutrition May Play a Role

Dr. Brian Wojeck, an obesity medicine specialist at Yale School of Medicine, compared it to what happens after bariatric surgery, where rapid metabolic changes can trigger temporary hair shedding. He also suspects that sudden changes in nutrition or vitamin levels might contribute. Some people consider taking multivitamins while on GLP-1 medications, though “there isn’t strong evidence that multivitamins prevent hair loss,” he said.

Rossi noted that some patients become relatively malnourished on GLP-1s because the drugs suppress appetite. “If you aren’t getting enough micronutrients, your body won’t prioritize hair growth,” he said. “It’s a mix of metabolic stress and relative protein or nutrient deficiency.”

For healthy hair, people need about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, plus sufficient levels of ferritin, zinc, and vitamins B, D, and B-12, Rossi said.

Manufacturer Guidance

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed hair loss is listed as a possible side effect of semaglutide. Clinical trials of Wegovy reported hair loss in 2.5% of participants versus 1% of placebo, with higher risk for those losing 20% or more of body weight. Alopecia is noted in post-marketing materials for Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Eli Lilly confirmed hair loss has been observed with weight loss interventions. It is listed for Zepbound but not Mounjaro, which is approved for diabetes management rather than weight loss. Zepbound trials showed higher hair loss rates in women (7.1%) than men (0.5%).

Treatments for Hair Loss

Telogen effluvium from GLP-1 use is usually temporary, but medical evaluation is advised. Chronic telogen effluvium, where shedding lasts more than six months, can occur, Rossi said.

Moustafa explained that once the stressor is removed, hair should fully recover. Medications like oral minoxidil can help speed regrowth, especially for patients who must continue a medication like Ozempic. Saffran plans to lower her dose and start minoxidil while continuing treatment. Nusbaum emphasized proper diagnosis is essential. Ruling out other causes through lab tests for vitamin, mineral, and hormonal levels allows for faster recovery.

For Saffran, Moustafa confirmed she had thick hair initially, with no signs of age-related pattern loss, indicating pure telogen effluvium. She advises GLP-1 users to monitor their hair shedding, track weight loss, and advocate for referrals to specialists to manage the condition.