Homemade tattoos increase STD risk among middle school students

The growing popularity of tattoos in today's society has led to many adolescents having the needle-based artwork in the home.

Recently, several parents of students who attend Rockingham County Middle School found that their children were getting homemade tattoos, according to DigTriad.com. Using various items found around the house, including ball point pens, electric toothbrushes and needles, students are putting themselves in danger of several skin-related health problems.

Furthermore, those who are getting tattooed with used needles are at a high risk of contracting blood-born sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as hepatitis B and C as well as HIV.

While academic officials have been notified, the Rockingham's faculty can only report suspicious activity or if the action happens on school grounds, the website reports.

Jeff Ketison, a North Carolina-based tattoo artist, stated that "it's really easy to get all kinds of diseases if you don't know what you're doing."

In addition to illegal tattoos, young people who have unprotected sex are at an increased risk of becoming infected with an STD. For example, in 2006, individuals aged 13 to 24 represented an estimated 14 percent of the U.S. population who was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.