Tattoo infections traced to tainted ink

Monroe County (N.Y.) Department

In this Jan 2012 photo provided by the Monroe County (N.Y.) Department of Public Health a persons arm is seen after receiving a tattoo covered with a red bubbly rash. As more people get tattoos, health officials are seeing more cases of a nasty skin infection blamed on the ink. In the largest outbreak reported, 19 people in Rochester, N.Y., recently ended up with bubbly rashes over their new tattoos. Cases also occurred in Colorado, Iowa and Washington States this year, health officials say. All together, the four states had 22 lab-confirmed tattoo-related infections and more than 30 suspected additional cases. (AP Photo/Monroe County (N.Y.) Department)

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University of Washington

In this undated photo provided by the University of Washington, the arm of a Washington State woman is shown after developing an infection earlier this year after receiving a tattoo. As more people get tattoos, health officials are seeing more cases of a nasty skin infection blamed on the ink. In the largest outbreak reported, 19 people in Rochester, N.Y., recently ended up with bubbly rashes over their new tattoos. Cases also occurred in Colorado, Iowa and Washington States this year, health officials say. All together, the four states had 22 lab-confirmed tattoo-related infections and more than 30 suspected additional cases. (AP Photo/University of Washington, Dr. Andrea Kalus)

ATLANTA (AP) — An outbreak of infected tattoos has led to an unlikely source: the ink. With the growing popularity of tattoos, health officials say they are seeing more cases of a nasty skin infection caused by a common bacteria traced to the ink. In the largest outbreak, 19 people in Rochester, N.Y., ended up with bubbly rashes on their new tattoos, researchers reported Wednesday. Infections from tattooing are nothing new. Hepatitis, staph infections and even the superbug known as MRSA have been tied to tattoos. Dirty needles and unsanitary conditions are often to blame. But all the New York …