All tattoos hurt a little in the hours and days after they are made, but learning to distinguish between a normal discomfort and the much more serious signs of an infection can be difficult. Understanding this difference helps you to experience the healing process as smoothly as possible. Also, knowing how to recognize the signs of infection as soon as they appear allows you to treat it immediately and prevent the situation from worsening.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Infection
Step 1. Wait a few days before jumping to conclusions
The day you got the tattoo, the area is red, a little swollen and sensitive. You may also experience a slight sensation of pain, such as when you get sunburned. In the first 48 hours it is very difficult to know whether or not an infection is developing, so rest assured. Continue to take care of the tattoo as explained to you by the tattoo artist and wait before coming to rash conclusions.
- Care and wash your tattoo following the artist's instructions and be sure to keep it dry, as humid areas generate more infections.
- If you are prone to infections, be sure to take good care of your tattoo and if necessary take an anti-inflammatory drug, such as acetaminophen.
- Pay attention to the pain you feel. If the tattoo is particularly painful and doesn't improve over the next three days, go back to the tattoo artist's office and ask him to check it out.
Step 2. Look for severe signs of inflammation
Very large and complicated tattoos take longer to heal than smaller ones, but if the tattoo remains severely inflamed for more than three days, there may be an infection. Redness can be a sign of infection. All tattoos are slightly red around the lines, but if this situation gets worse instead of improving, if the pain becomes more intense, then it could be an infection.
- Pay attention if you feel any heat emanating from the tattooed skin. If you feel heat radiating, then the inflammation is severe. If you notice any red lines radiating from the tattoo area, go to the doctor right away, it could be septicemia.
- Itching, especially if it also involves the area surrounding the tattoo, is a symptom of an allergic reaction or infection. Some tattoos may itch, but if the sensation lasts longer than a week and gets worse then it's best to get checked.
Step 3. Check for swelling
If the immediate area around the tattoo is unevenly swollen, an infection may be hiding. All blisters or pus-filled pustules are an unmistakable symptom of an infectious process and immediate medical treatment is needed. If tattooed skin lifts instead of returning to normal, get checked.
The discharge of a foul-smelling liquid is another serious symptom. Go to the emergency room or your doctor immediately
Step 4. Check the temperature
If you're worried about having an infection, it's a good idea to measure your fever with an accurate thermometer. If you feel feverish, then you may have an infection that needs to be treated as soon as possible.
A fever in the first 48 hours, nausea, body aches, and generally feeling sick are all signs of infection. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Infection
Step 1. Show the tattoo to your tattoo artist
If you have doubts or are worried, the best person for an initial evaluation is the person who performed the work. Show him the tattoo and ask him for his opinion.
If you show severe symptoms, such as pain and a foul-smelling discharge, don't waste time and go to the emergency room or your doctor for proper treatment
Step 2. Go to the doctor
If you have already talked to the tattoo artist and you have done everything to take care of the tattoo, but the infectious symptoms do not subside, it is important to contact your doctor for antibiotic treatment. There's usually not much that can be done topically with an infected tattoo, but medications can help.
Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor to help your body fight the infection. Most localized infections can be cured quickly and without too much trouble, but widespread infections and septicemia are far more serious issues that require quick intervention
Step 3. Use topical creams as prescribed
Your doctor may consider using ointments as well as antibiotics to speed up the healing of the tattoo. If this is your case, apply the product regularly and keep the tattoo clean. Gently wash the area with clean water twice a day or as recommended by your doctor.
After the treatment, cover the tattoo with a sterile gauze but without sealing it; air must be able to circulate to avoid further fueling the infection. Tattoos need fresh air
Step 4. Keep the area dry as the infection heals
Wash the tattoo regularly with a small amount of mild, unscented soap and clean water. Dry it by dabbing and carefully before putting the bandage back on; alternatively leave it outdoors. Do not cover or wet new tattoos that have become infected.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Infections
Step 1. Keep the tattoo clean
Always follow your tattoo artist's instructions on cleaning and caring for your new tattoo. After the first 24 hours, rinse it gently with warm soapy water and dry it carefully.
Some tattoo artists give you a tube of cream or ointment to apply to the tattoo for the first 3-5 days. This allows for quick and safe healing. Never put petroleum jelly or neosporin on new tattoos
Step 2. Let your skin breathe
In the two days immediately following the tattoo, it is important not to disturb it and to let it heal naturally.
Do not wear clothes that can irritate him, protect him from sunlight and avoid bleeding the skin
Step 3. Get an allergy test before getting a tattoo
While not common, some people are allergic to the ink ingredients. The result is painful, so it's best to do allergy tests before thinking about the tattoo.
- Black ink usually does not contain potential allergens, but other dyes can have additives that cause reactions. If you want to get a tattoo with India ink, you will probably have no problem even if you are allergic.
- If you have particularly sensitive skin you can also request the use of vegan inks, made with natural ingredients.
Step 4. Only contact serious and licensed tattoo artists
If you want to get a tattoo, spend some time doing research to find a studio and a professional who have all the credentials and who comply with the hygiene rules imposed by the Ministry of Health.
- Avoid makeshift tattoo artists and those who do the work at home. Even if a friend of yours is "really very good", make an appointment in a professional studio, with an artist who does it by profession.
- If you've made an appointment, but eventually realize that the studio isn't clean and the tattoo artist is behaving suspiciously, then cancel it and leave. Find a real professional.
Step 5. Make sure you only use new needles
A true tattoo artist puts hygiene and safety above everything else, he will open the sealed package in front of your eyes only after wearing gloves. If this doesn't happen, ask for an explanation. Reliable studies shouldn't even go to the point where you ask and will always be respectful of your health concerns.
Needles and other disposable tools are best. If the store reuses the tools, even if they have been sterilized, there is a greater risk of infection
Advice
- If in doubt, go to the doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry.
- If at least one of the signs mentioned in this article appears after getting a tattoo, it is best to seek medical assistance; making the infection worse could be very risky, as it could even lead to death. Go to the person who gave you the tattoo, as well as to a doctor, as they will certainly have more experience with these problems and will know how to help you properly.
