ONEIDA COUNTY, WI (WSAU) — The Oneida County Health Department is warning people about the dangers of getting tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed professional.
Todd Troskey is an Environmental Health Specialist for the Oneida County Health Department and explains that there are many health risks from getting illegal tattoos or piercings.
“Well, if someone isn’t licensed properly and they’re not doing it in a licensed and inspected facility, there could be diseases such as HIV or hepatitis or as well as a lot of times there can be other effects to the skin such as infections and rashes,” said Troskey.
He also says they have many ways of trying to police illegal tattoos and piercings in the area.
“We get complaints from the general public every once in a while. We also work very closely with law enforcement. And, we like to also look at things like Facebook and other web-based sites to make sure that anything that’s going on in our county is licensed.”
A $150 fine can be issued to anyone that is not a licensed practitioner and a $749 can be issued to anyone not practicing in a licensed facility.
