Be careful with complications when tattooing lips

One month ago, Ms. LTT (29 years old, Hanoi) had her lips tattooed at a cosmetic facility. Two days before going to the medical facility for examination, Ms. T.'s lips developed blisters. One day later, fluid started to leak and form scabs. Worried, Ms. T. went to the medical facility for examination.

At the medical facility, test results showed that Ms. T. was positive for HSV-1 IgM, consistent with acute infection, with secondary infection. She was diagnosed by doctors with Herpes Simplex virus secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

Ms. T. was prescribed oral and topical antibiotics, oral Acyclovir, and instructions for home lip care.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thu Trang - a dermatologist, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a common dermatological virus, mainly consisting of two main strains: HSV-1 mainly causes lesions in the mouth, lips and face; HSV-2 is often associated with genital infections.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin and can invade and cause infection when the skin or mucous membranes are damaged.

Staphylococcal superinfection occurs when HSV lesions become a gateway for staphylococcal bacteria to invade, leading to a more complicated and difficult-to-treat infection.

How is the virus transmitted?

Doctor Trang said that HSV is mainly transmitted through direct contact with secretions from blisters, saliva or through objects contaminated with the virus such as towels, toothbrushes, and drinking glasses.

The virus can also be transmitted through unsterile cosmetic procedures such as lip tattooing or eyelid surgery. Staphylococcus aureus enters through open wounds or skin lesions and can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated surfaces and objects.

People with herpes labialis may experience systemic symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, mild fever, etc.

HSV superinfection with Staphylococcus aureus can cause severe skin damage, increasing the risk of scarring or deep ulcers.

The infection can spread, causing cellulitis, abscesses, or even sepsis, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. In some cases, the HSV virus can spread to the nervous system, causing serious complications such as meningitis or encephalitis.

In addition, severe damage to the face and lips can affect aesthetics, causing low self-esteem in the patient.

How to prevent disease?

Doctor Trang recommends that to prevent the disease, avoid direct contact with people who have blisters or are infected with HSV; do not share personal items such as towels, toothbrushes, or drinking glasses.

Choose reputable beauty facilities that ensure hygiene and sterilization procedures when performing procedures such as lip tattooing and eyelid surgery; follow post-procedure care instructions.

Maintain good personal hygiene, especially when there are open wounds on the skin; avoid scratching or breaking blisters, as this allows bacteria to enter;

Use medication as prescribed by your doctor to avoid drug resistance; if unusual lesions appear on the lips, especially after cosmetic procedures, you should immediately go to a reputable medical facility for early diagnosis and treatment.

Herpes labialis (cold sores on the lips)

Herpes labialis, sometimes called fever blisters, are clusters of small blisters on the lips and around the mouth.