It's nasty, hard to control, and spreading fast.

Now health officials say many of the people who have MRSA (methicillan resistant staphylococcus aureus) staph infections have one more thing in common, tattoos.

More than 40-million people have tattoos.

And now, health authorities are concerned the rise in this body art has led to an increase in a dangerous infection -- one that doesn't respond to medicine.

Last year, the CDC linked a cluster of anti-biotic resistant staph cases in three states to tattoo parlors.

Now, it's here.

"We've seen it in quite a few tattoos." says Eileen McLachlan, head of the infection control unity at Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton.

"These people are in the hospital for 10 days on IV antibiotics because you can't treat them at home."

Health authorities urge anyone getting a tattoo to watch the artist wash their hands and sterilize equipment. Also, make sure the skin where the tattoo will be placed is thoroughly cleaned.

Joseph Blackburn has 6 tattoos but admits he was so excited about getting them, he could have been more careful about cleaning processes.

He didn't any problems with infection. But it's a risk he says he won't take again. "I wouldn't do another one. Not now."

Health experts say an MRSA (methicillan resistant staphylococcus aureus), or antibiotic resistant staph infection, would typically appear within a few days or weeks of getting a tattoo.

Staph is not a reportable disease, so no one knows how many cases we may have in North Texas.

E-mail Janet St. James