Doctors in Brighton have raised the alarm after a number of people developed severe blistering around their new tattoos.
A batch of red ink, thought to have come from the Isle of Wight, is believed to be the source of the health hazard.
The environmental health department at the Isle of Wight Council has warned customers and tattoo parlour owners.
Symptoms include severe blistering, inflammation and weeping sores.
A council spokesman said: "We are investigating a number of cases. Reactions can be severe, but it doesn't appear to affect everyone who has come in contact with the ink."
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