Illegal tattoos cause infections

Severe skin infections caused by unsanitary tattoo operations are becoming increasingly problematic in the Columbus area.

The Columbus Health Department is warning the public about the health risks of unlicensed tattoo operations and is cracking down on illegal tattoo artists.

The Health Department has received multiple reports of skin infections because of people getting tattoos in their homes or at tattoo parties. At this time there are 13 confirmed cases of infections because of illegal tattoing, but more are suspected.

Illegal tattoos are any done outside of licensed tattoo parlors or not done by licensed artists.

Two Columbus men were arrested recently for providing illegal tattooing. George Barido was arrested Wednesday after people to whom he had given tattoos became ill, local media reported.

"In all recently reported cases, operations used guitar strings and printer ink cartridges as the method of tattooing and failed to follow sanitary practices," according to a Columbus Health Department statement.  

Liane Egle, a spokeswoman for the Columbus Health Department, said they have six confirmed cases that have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, and 25 other reports they are looking into.

According to the Health Department, "All temporary and permanent tattoo establishments in the state of Ohio are required to be licensed and to follow guidelines set forth in the Ohio Revised Code."

"The code is very specific about sanitary equipment and the types of materials that must be used; they are designed for the protection of the person getting the tattoo," Egle said. "So it's very, very detailed in terms of what the tattooers must provide."

She explained the difference between licensed and unlicensed operators.

"We find that people that are licensed are very careful and very conscientious about the practice of tattooing," Egle said. "People that are not willing to become licensed ... may not have the knowledge of one is safe and sanitary."

Tattoo parlors around Ohio State campus are also worried about the situation.

Darreloo Hitt, the owner of a tattoo parlor on 13th Avenue, said unlicensed tattooing is always of poorer quality.

"We really hate to see poor tattoos," he said. "It's a bad decision made by people that got poor tattoos."

The highest risk taken with tattooing at home is an infection, such as a transmitted disease, he said.

"You are under the risk of infection - some type of transmitted disease - and that's always a big risk."

Hitt said going to a licensed tattoo parlor is important because the clients receive both a good quality tattoo and a safe environment.

"(In a licensed tattoo parlor) I think people don't need to worry about infection," he said.

Hitt also imagined that young people are becoming more curious about tattooing at home.

"I think a lot of young kids tend to get tattoos from their friends at home," he said.

Egle strongly suggested that people who want a tattoo go to a licensed parlor.

"What we are really trying to do is to get the word out among people who may be considering a tattoo, and ask them to encourage those really interested in getting tattoos that they should only be going to licensed tattoo operations," she said. "That's one of the best things they can do to protect themselves."

"Also (we are) encouraging people who may have an infection to let us know because it's a part of our job for the health department to control the disease, or control this to stop the spread of the infection," Hitt said. "So they want to know anyone who has an infection, so we can ward more about it, and try to determine how it's spreading and then takes that to stop it."