Contaminated tattoo ink can cause potentially serious infections

Tempted to get a tattoo? Contaminated tattoo ink can cause potentially serious infections. Even if tattoo artists follow proper hygienic practices, they may not know that their inks are contaminated.

After investigating a multi-state outbreak of infections tied to contaminated tattoo inks, FDA offers strategies to help consumers control their risk. The agency also advises consumers on how inks can get contaminated, issues to discuss with tattoo artists, and how to recognize a tattoo ink-related infection.

Read this Consumer Update to learn more about this outbreak and its impact on consumers. FDA also has a fact sheet available on tattoos and permanent makeup.

More information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC has just released a report with statistics on this outbreak linked to a family of bacteria called nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). And there is a CDC blog on “The Hidden Dangers of Getting Inked.”–Article courtesy of the FDA Consumer Health Information.

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contaminated

infections

ink

serious

tattoo