Tattoo inks and the pigments used to color them can become contaminated by bacteria, mold, and fungi. In the last year, inks contaminated with a family of bacteria called nontuberculous mycobacteria have caused serious infections in at least four states. Some bacteria in this family can cause lung disease, joint infection, eye problems, and other organ infections. The skin ointments provided by tattoo parlors are not effective against them.

Read about symptoms and what you should do if you suspect you have a tattoo-related infection.

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