FDA Issues Warning About Certain Tattoo Inks

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Tattoos are fairly popular in the adult industry, and some stars even create their own tattoos using home kits—and those kits have been the subject of a recent Food & Drug Administration recall and warning. The kits in question were marketed by White and Blue Lion, Inc., and although that company issued a recall of its ink products on July 11, the agency fears that people who may have purchased bottles of ink before that may be at risk of the bacterial contamination which the FDA found upon inspecting unopened bottles. "FDA has confirmed one case of skin infection involving a consumer that used this company’s tattoo products," said Dr. Linda Katz, director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, "and we are aware of other reports linked to tattoo products with similar packaging. Tattooing poses a risk of infection to anyone, but the risk is particularly high for those with pre-existing heart or circulatory disease, diabetes or compromised immune systems." Katz warned that injecting contaminated ink into the skin or using contaminated needles may result in infections at the site of the tattoo. Signs of localized infection include redness, swelling, weeping wounds, blemishes, or excessive pain at the site. Further, an infection that is left untreated or inadequately treated could spread through the bloodstream (a process known as sepsis). These infections may be associated with fever, shaking chills and sweats. If these symptoms arise, treatment with antibiotics, hospitalization and/or surgery may be required. In any case, if you experience any problems connected with the tattoo site, definitely seek medical attention. The FDA suggests that those wishing to tattoo themselves or others at home be wary of ink bottles and kits that "have no brand name, carry a dragon logo, and/or are missing the name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor; are sold singly and in kits containing anywhere from five to 54, or perhaps more, bottles of inks of various colors; and are marked with 'Lotch' [sic] and Batch numbers, and 'Date produced' and 'Best if used by' dates." However, the White and Blue Lion kits aren't the only tattoo equipment to be wary of. Earlier this year, the FDA issued an alert regarding the temporary tattoos that are sold in novelty stores and occasionally given away as prizes or gifts. The main problem with them is black henna, a coloring that is often combined with natural red henna, which can cause a chemical reaction that may lead to dangerous skin reactions. More information is available here and here.