London, ON - The Middlesex-London Health Unit is alerting people to the potential health risks associated with receiving body art at unlicensed premises. The Health Unit is currently investigating home-based tattooing at an Arbour Glen Crescent residence after receiving a complaint from a member of the public. Inspectors visited the premises last week and found several infractions, including improper cleaning, disinfection and sterilization practices.
Given the potential risk of blood-borne infections due to the improper practices, the Health Unit advises anyone who received a tattoo or other body art at this, or any other unlicensed location, to contact their health care provider or visit a walk-in clinic and arrange for blood testing. The Health Unit emphasizes that this advisory is being issued as a precaution.
“This is not the first time we’ve heard of a body art business operating without a license, and there are probably more in our area. People need to know that when the proper procedures aren’t in place, tattoos and piercings can lead to dangerous infections,” says Cathie Walker, Manager of the Infectious Disease Control Team at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
The Health Unit recommends clients of this business get hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV testing done now, and again 6 months from the day of their last tattoo or piercing. It may be impossible to determine whether any positive blood tests resulted from procedures done at this location or if they are due to past exposures. So far, there have been no reports of blood-borne infections from improper practices at the Arbour Glen Crescent location.
While clients await the results of testing done 6 months after their last tattoo or piercing, they are urged to take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These include using a condom during sex and avoiding sharing injection drug equipment, razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes and other personal items. Though the risk of spreading blood-borne infections from inadequate sterilization of tattooing or body piercing equipment is considered low, these infections may go unrecognized because some people do not have initial symptoms.
The Health Unit inspects licensed tattooing and body piercing businesses at least once a year and maintains a list of known premises. Members of the public are strongly advised to only receive tattoos and body piercings from premises inspected by the Health Unit. Clients can ask operators to see the results of these inspections. Businesses in private homes are not routinely inspected by the Health Unit, nor are they licensed by the City of London.
For more information, please contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2330 or visit the Health Unit online at: www.healthunit.com.
Media Contact:
Trudy Sweetzir, Communications Assistant, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2448
Spokesperson:
Cathie Walker, Manager of the Infectious Disease Control Team