If you're currently living in Florida and are thinking of getting a tattoo, you might want to exercise more caution.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an announcement through its official website about the microbial contamination of tattoo inks that are presently used in a number of Florida tattoo shops.
The investigation suggests that a group of inks from A Thousand Virgins with a lot number of 129 is found with Mycobacterium chelonae, along with certain strains of molds. The ink is specifically three shades of gray wash: G1, G2, and G3. The bottles in question have an expiry date of January 2016.
The FDA decided to step in after the health authorities from the state requested for additional support. They have been receiving complaints and cases of the bacterial infection among recently tattooed consumers.
The department then tested unopened samples of bottles including those of A Thousand Virgins, which then revealed the presence of Mycobacterium chelonae, a human pathogen, and molds such as Penicillium genus. The investigation, however, doesn't necessarily point these products are responsible for the reported cases.
The pathogens can enter into the body through a break in the skin, which happens during a tattoo session. Once they enter, they can then travel to various parts of the body through the bloodstream.
The symptoms of the infection can greatly vary. They may begin as localized pain (pain is limited to the tattoo site). The person may also develop rashes, redness, swelling, or soreness of the skin. However, they can also become very severe. One of the life-threatening effects is septic shock, which can affect several of the major organs. In some cases, the treatment may involve heavy medication and surgery. The contamination may also leave a permanent scar.
The FDA and Florida health department urge the public who currently own the ink, which has been sold as sets or individually, to dispose it properly. They should also be careful about buying inks online as some of the contaminated bottles may be sold there. A Thousand Virgins, meanwhile, has already recalled the contaminated products.
