Homemade Tattoos

(Columbus, Ohio) City health officials have expressed concern over an outbreak of tattoo-related skin infections which are highly contagious and antibiotic resistant. Apparently people are using guitar strings to puncture their skin under unsanitary conditions to make the homemade tattoos. The result is painful bumps and boils which allow the staphylococcus bacteria to spread.

On numerous occasions, I've written my opinion that tattoos don't generally make a lot of sense. In the current culture, it's trendy and many young folks are getting visible tattoos to be fashionable. Well, fashions change and many will ultimately decide to undergo a painful and expensive tattoo removal process. Either that or endure a lifetime of explaining who "Martha" is.

I figure there are two categories of tattoos that make some sense, and I'd welcome any input on this subject from my readers. The first category includes such tattoos as "101st Airborne" or "USS Permit SSN-593" or "Guadalcanal 1942." The tattoos are commemorative, are largely self-explanatory, and are generally not offensive. The second category consists of medically-prescribed tattoos necessary for reconstruction of an individual's appearance.

The last time I wrote about tattoos, I received considerable comment. It's a hot button issue and just about everyone has a strong opinion.