When a cluster of skin infections in upstate New York last fall led back to one tattoo artist, local public health officials took the usual step of investigating the artist's hygiene practices. They found that all of his equipment and methods were sanitary, but the nationally distributed ink he had been using, even in unopened bottles, wasn't.

Soon, similar investigations in Colorado, Washington and Iowa turned up harmful strains of bacteria in three other brands of ink. At least 22 skin infections across the four states were linked to contaminated ink, according to research reported Wednesday (Aug. 22) in the New England Journal of Medicine, reports LiveScience.com.

The offending pathogen in the New York outbreak was identified as Mycobacterium chelonae, a relative of the bacteria behind tuberculosis and leprosy that is commonly found in tap water. Though M. chelonae is usually harmless to people with normal immune systems, when it's escorted beneath the skin by a tattoo needle, it can cause a painful rash that can last for months, requiring strong antibiotic regimens and sometimes surgery to eradicate.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), past tattoo-related Mycobacterium infections likely arose from the use of unsterile water as a diluting agent in ink. And because the ink that caused the New York outbreak was "gray wash," pre-diluted black ink used for shading, the CDC has speculated that its manufacturer may not have been using sterile water.

So should Americans, one of five of whom now reportedly sport indelible ink, be afraid to get a new tat? Is there any way to be sure that a given manufacturer's tattoo ink is sterile?

The answer to the second question is a definite no. Currently, there is no FDA regulation requiring that tattoo inks be sterile, so a consumer only has a company's or an artist's assurance to go on. It is also worth noting that although a number of the colour pigments used in tattoo ink have been approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, not a single one has ever been approved for injection into the skin.

Because reporting is voluntary, there is not good data on how often tattoo-related skin infections occur, but if one decides to play the odds and join the millions of Americans who are already inked, there are a few precautionary steps that he or she can take to decrease the chances of an infection.

Along with watch-dogging artists during tattooings to ensure that they use sterile water for dilution and cleaning, the CDC recommends that a consumer only use tattoo parlours registered by local jurisdictions and request inks that are manufactured specifically for tattoos. If an infection does occur, the CDC advises seeking medical advice.

http://livescience.livejournal.com/5833340.html

How does a tatto infection affect an average nairalander. Mtewww.

Thanks @Op, now that i`m better informed, i prob won`t get body body all inked up no matter how good and tempting it looks

I pity nigerians that destroy their skin in name of been in vogue or designing. If this happen in usa, only god will save us cos we import anything from china,india,taiwan etc. And we have one of the poorest health center in the world.make we no use money buy our death ooooo

How does this affect the culture of tattoo in Nigeria.. i mean seriously where is my garri

For tattoo lovers, don't they get tired of their tattoos? even 50 cent removed a lot of his own!!!!.
Remember the "if i had a Buggati veyron i won't scratch it cos of it value' aphorism. i think it can be applied to this tattoo of a thingy!!!!.
None of my Business though, es ist auch nicht auf den Preis der Garri auf dem Markt.

@Post

Luckily for me, I am not a fan of tattoos. I find them tacky and it is against my religious belief to mess up my body which is the temple of the Most High God with crap like tattoos.

the should be telling lil wayne this not us

TRU talk..lil wizy,game nd a host of outhers should b told ths.

I have a tatoo on my john thomas how do i remove it?

Tatoos are meant 4 thugs lyk my dad used 2 say

[color=#990000][/color]Nice info...

I don't tink I can even take a girl wit tatoo serious, even if she fine pass miss world, dey just pass to b warming ur bed finish

One good thing about tattooed peeps is that they never complain about people without tattoo

Down in delta state army won't wait for d tatoo to damage ur skin, they ll damage it for u. Its nw a crime to ve a tatoo.

good to know. Now i can resist the temptation

ebamma: the should be telling lil wayne this not us

and Rick Ross

Deiok: How does a tatto infection affect an average nairalander. Mtewww.

why is this post not hidden. It seeks of great stupidity! You're one of those new kids right. Go learn more.

ppl with tattoos- serious inferiority complex,

dannywest01: and Rick Ross

...and Florida
@topic, the things people do for beauty