Reports of unlicensed tattooing inside private homes or at "tattoo parties" are increasing locally.

Huron County General Health District officials warn the public to rethink the source of their ink in an effort to prevent infections and lifelong diseases associated with unsafe tattoos.

"You wouldn't allow your doctor or nurse to inject you with a needle that had been used on another patient," said Chris Cherry, director of nursing for the Huron County General Health District. "So why would you allow yourself to be pierced or tattooed by needles unless you were absolutely sure they were unused?"

Unlicensed, unregulated tattoo artists receive no oversight to protect their patrons. No one is making sure that an unlicensed or home tattoo artist is trained, that the facility is clean and safe, or that the artist follows protocols that help prevent the spread of infection and disease.

"Tattoos and piercings are a serious business," said Ashley Shreve, sanitarian at the Huron County General Health District. "People are trying to save a little money by getting a tattoo from the friend of a friend, but the lifelong disease you are at risk of contracting is much more expensive than the $50 or so you are saving by getting the home tattoo."

Shreve points out that the money you save comes from not having to maintain a facility that is clean and compliant with health regulations. Cutting corners in these facilities leads to unsanitary conditions and an increased exposure to infectious blood. Licensed facilities are required to have a shop that is clean and set up according to the rules enforced by the State of Ohio.

Common household solutions and cleaners are being used instead of more expensive commercial grade cleaners proven to kill germs. Further, many home tattoo artists are reusing needles and ink rather than using new ones for each patron. Reused needles and reused ink can expose tattoo patrons to diseases such as staph, tetanus, hepatitis and HIV.

Selecting who to go to for a tattoo should be much more about finding someone who will carefully protect your health rather than about finding a good artist with a cool design.

"Again, let's compare it to a medical setting where blood exposure is also a risk," Cherry said. "Doctors and hospitals use disposable equipment and supplies whenever possible. The equipment that they do reuse is painstakingly cleaned and sanitized using standard protocols and approved cleaning products that are proven to kill germs."

The same knowledge about what sterilizes equipment and prevents the spread of disease went into the regulations set for tattoo and piercing facilities. Cherry explained that some do-it-yourself tattoo artists are relying on things such as hydrogen peroxide to clean supplies, including needles, to be used on their next patron. Peroxide is not an approved sterilizing solution and will leave germs on the needle.

Since the art of tattooing requires the penetration of the skin with a needle, patrons are at risk of infection if sterile needles and equipment are not always used.

The risk of infection is real and the risk rises as the number of people in the area infected increases. Hepatitis B and C cases in Huron County have risen from 13 new cases in 2000 to 54 new cases in 2010, or more than a 400% increase in occurrence over that decade. Further, people being diagnosed with Hepatitis B and C are shifting to include more women, 20-somethings and teens.

To make sure the tattoo you are getting is safe, patrons should select a licensed facility, check the health department inspection report for that facility, visually inspect the facility for cleanliness and organization and watch the way the tattoo artist prepares for the tattoo.

Before receiving your tattoo, you should observe the tattoo artist thoroughly wash his or her hands and put on a pair of fresh gloves. You should then see the tattoo artist open a new, individually wrapped needle and barrel from sterilized packaging (they will peel open like a Band-Aid). The tattoo gun should also have a plastic cover over the cord that connects to the gun and the ink should be placed into individual tiny cups on a clean workstation. If any of these things are missing, your tattoo could pose a serious health risk to you.

In Huron County, since 2005 there have been 269 cases of Hepatitis C, 20 cases of Hepatitis B and two cases of HIV reported to the health department. There are almost certainly more cases that have not been reported because the infected person does not have symptoms and/or has not been tested. All of these diseases can be spread through the use of a previously used needle.

An additional risk associated with tattooing practices includes an allergic reaction to the ink. Manufactured and homemade dyes and inks contain a variety of impurities and toxins. Although the risk is minimal, patrons could experience common reactions including swelling, itching and general discomfort at the site of the tattoo.

Shreve encourages individuals who are interested in body art to educate themselves read up on safety precautions mandated by the health district and to always get your tattoo at a licensed facility.

For more information, please visit the Tattoo and Body Piercing page at www.huroncohealth.com. There are fact sheets available from the Food and Drug Administration regarding tips and safety on tattoos.