GP says travel insurance could be invalidated by 'health-risk' trend

Daily Record

06-05-2025

You could be left ill with no way to fund your treatment or return home
Almost a quarter of people in the UK now have tattoos, and the trend has become so popular that you can even get a tattoo on a cruise holiday. Temporary tattoos, such as henna designs, have also surged in popularity, particularly among travellers seeking a souvenir without the lifelong commitment.
Traditional henna art, practised across South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, uses natural dye to create intricate patterns that fade over time.
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But GP Dr Asimah Hanif, working with medical travel insurance provider Staysure, warns holidaymakers of one thing they must be aware of when getting a tattoo abroad.
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Dr Asimah said: "A tattoo can be a great memento from a trip, but it's important that Brits are aware that any health complications, such as a bacterial infection, will likely not be covered by your travel insurance if it's caused by getting a tattoo."
Part of the reason tattoos can lead to complications while travelling is the strain they place on the body. "Getting a tattoo temporarily weakens the immune system," Dr Asimah said. "The immune system is activated to try and fight off what it perceives as a foreign invader: the tattoo ink."
Dr Asimah adds that a holiday setting also puts you at increased risk of an infection. "A tattoo is essentially an open wound whilst it's healing, and a foreign holiday offers plenty of opportunities for infection.
"From a dip in a chlorinated pool to applying suncream, these factors increase the chance of bacteria entering the wound and a bacterial infection developing.
"In some cases, there's also a chance you'll be eating less nutritious food than usual, which again can put the body at higher risk of an infection.
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"It's also worth noting that while natural henna is generally considered safe, so-called 'black henna' – often used at tourist markets – can sometimes contain harmful additives like para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can cause severe skin reactions and allergic responses," Dr Asimah said: "Always check what ingredients are being used if you opt for henna while abroad.
"A bacterial infection is never good news, and they can range from a mild illness to something as dangerous as sepsis, which can cause the body's vital organs to shut down.
"Most standard medical travel insurance packages won't cover an issue caused by a tattoo, and the same goes for piercings," Dr Asimah added: "So, it might be wiser to wait until you're home to get inked, where you can visit a trusted tattoo parlour and have access to medical care in the UK if an infection does occur.
"Having a tattoo isn't to be taken lightly so it's best not to rush into it. The aftercare routine is key to helping it heal properly which takes time."