Many Lexington County parents have tried to talk their teens out of a tattoo.

They fear their child will contract an infectious blood-borne disease.

What can they get?

If the equipment used to create their tattoo is contaminated with infected blood from an earlier customer, they can contract methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B and C, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Skin infections and other complications include allergic reactions. Red, green, yellow and blue dyes can cause skin reactions such as an itchy rash which can occur even years afterward.

Inflammation called a granuloma can form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.

Medication or other treatment may be needed if your teen has an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or develops an infection or other skin problems.

Are you having a disagreement with your teenager? Don’t feel alone.

A new survey finds that 78% of parents oppose their teenager getting one.

According to Reuters news service, the poll found 75% of parents of 13- to 18-year-olds thought teens should not be allowed to have a tattoo until 18 or older. That included 32% of parents with tattoos. SC law prohibits anyone under 18 years of age from getting a tattoo without parental consent.

A Pew Research Center study found that 38% of young people aged 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo.

Parents’ biggest worries are the potential risks: 53% said that they were very concerned about infection or scarring and 50% were concerned about diseases such as hepatitis or HIV being transmitted to their teen through unsanitary needles.

To make sure your child’s tattoo will be performed safely:

• Go to a reputable tattoo studio that employs only properly trained employees.

• Check with your local health department for information on local licensing and regulations.

• Make sure the tattoo artist washes his or her hands and wears a fresh pair of protective gloves.

• Make sure the tattoo artist removes the needle and tubes from sealed packages and pigments, trays or containers are unused.

• Make sure the artist uses a heat sterilization machine (autoclave) to sterilize all non-disposable equipment between customers.

Instruments and supplies that can’t be sterilized with an autoclave include drawer handles, tables and sinks.

These should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use.