I got a tattoo on my forearm saturday,Now my arm is red and breaking out with zits?what can I do?

Answer 1

I wouldn't do anything other then to keep the area clean and try not to touch it any other time till it heals up except when cleaning it. If it scabs up dont pick at it.
Don't keep it bandaged up all the time neither. If you have any other problems or concerns you should consult your tattoo artist weather it was a friend or you got it done at a tattoo shop. They will be able to give you some more exact info.
Did you already put Neo-Sporin on it? cause if so that could be why you are having that problem. (See below)

*There's a rash around my tattoo! Am I having an allergic reaction?
Possibly, but probably not. In most cases, the rash (which looks like small pimples) is caused by over moisturizing the area. Chances are, you're applying some sort of ointment or lotion to the tattoo. All that moisture needs a way to escape and can do so in the form of pimples... A rash can also be caused by something as simple as clogged pores or sometimes, ingrown hairs. Once the tattoo has finished scabbing or peeling, you can apply rubbing alcohol to the rash to help dry it out. Don't try to pop the pimples... this can cause scarring and may lighten the tattoo in that area.

It is possible that you're allergic to the ointment or lotion that you're applying. You can try switching brands... but make sure you consult your artist about the condition of your tattoo before changing anything in your aftercare procedure. They should be able to help you find an alternate way of caring for the problem.

If you're having an allergic reaction to the ink, the spot with the 'offending' ink will raise up, itch and have an extremely hard time healing. At times it may 'weep' and look a bit lumpy. Allergic reactions typically occur just after the tattoo is finished, and noticed as the tattoo tries to heal. Sometimes an allergic reaction can occur years after the tattoo has been done and healed- but that's pretty rare from what I've seen. The most common allergy-causing color is known to be red (a.k.a. Red Reaction), but it is possible for a person to be allergic to any color. If you're known to have severe allergies, ask your artist about doing a spot test. *



Caring for a New Tattoo

An hour or two after the tattoo was completed you should remove the bandage. Immediately after removing the bandage, wash the tattoo lightly using a mild antibacterial soap and cool water. Rinse and pat dry. Do not rub.

Then apply a very light coat of Eucerin or Curel. Apply a fresh coat every five hours.

Some people are allergic to Neo-Sporin. If you are, you will know because the tattoo will feel irritated after you put it on, and small red pimples may appear around the tattoo. If you suspect you are allergic to the Neo-Sporin, try another antibacterial cream.



After three days stop using the antibacterial soap and switch to a gentle lotion. The lotion should be cream based and not greasy so that it allows your tattoo to breathe. Also, the less perfume, Alcohol and coloring the better.



Be sure your hands are clean when applying lotion or Eucerin or Curel. Apply the lotion 3 to 5 times daily. Do not re-bandage your tattoo; bacteria loves dark, warm places. You should wash your tattoo at least once a day .

Do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on your tattoo. It is refined crude oil and has no healing abilities. It will cause heavy scabbing and the color will appear considerably duller.

Do not expose the tattoo to sunlight for two weeks. Five minutes in direct sunlight on any part of the design is too much and will cause fading.

Do not soak the tattoo in water until the tattoo is fully healed. This includes hot tubs, baths, swimming pools, or other natural bodies of water.

Do not get the tattoo sweaty for at least 1 week.

Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo. It will cause light spots. If your tattoo is itching, you can slap it instead of scratching to make the itching subside.

Answer 2

Don't put any fancy creams on it unless instructed to by a doctor or by your tattoo artist.
Some creams will make the tattoo ink fade, or make the healing process worse.

The 'zits' could be a number of things'. More information would be needed though.
•If your tattoo has red in it, you could be having a reaction to the red ink. This is rare, but can happen. Basically what will happen is, the red ink will reject and push out of your skin. See your tattoo artist immediately.
•You could be having an allergic reaction to the bandages.
•You could of over cleaned the tattoo, not cleaned it enough, put polysporin on it, got it infected, submerged the tattoo under water, or done something else you were not supposed to do.
•It could be something completely different.

Go see a doctor, and your tattoo artist.

Answer 3

I would say that you have a condition known as "folliculitis" which is an infection of the hair follicles.
It can be painful and can actually turn into a more serious issue from the infection.
SOooo what you need to do is get an antibiotic (like penicillin, etc) and take it so nothing else develops.
PS. Hope the tat needle was clean. There's lots of diseases that are the nasty little gifts that keep on giving, if ya know what I mean.

Answer 4

If you are putting neosporin on it stop. You may be having an allergic reaction. Polysporin usually does not cause a reaction. If there is a lot of red in your ink it could be "red disease," an allergic reaction to red ink. Not really much you can do with that. Depending on your age and if you had the chicken pox when you were younger it could be shingles... due to stress to the area. Have your tat artist to check it out. They can give you a better idea of what is going on.

Answer 5

You should probably call the place that you where you got the tattoo. Let them know in case you have to file a law suit or something later, assuming they are at fault, that is. (I'm a law student, so I always think about this stuff...)

Also, call your Dr. asap in case you are allergic or are having some other kind of bad reaction. It might be no big deal, but you're better safe than sorry. By the way, you might just be allergic to whatever lotion you're putting on it to keep it moist.

Do you have any other tattoos? Has this happened to you before? If not, I would definitely get it checked out.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You need to be asking the tattoo artist or a doctor, not here.

There are all kinds of variables involved. Possible allergy to the pigments (least likely) possible allergy to the antibiotics in the bacitracin/neosporin (if that's what you're putting on it) possible reaction to anything you put on it, possible dermatitis from the green soap used during the tattoo, possible reaction to the adhesive of the tape used for the bandage immediately after...and the list goes on.

You need somebody's input from a person who can actually see, feel, and examine your symptoms firsthand.

Answer 7

Did you have it professionally done? If so, call the business and tell them. Go to a doctor. Tattoos do NOT usually cause that sort of reaction. Coat your tattoo with A+D ointment, not Neosporin because it will mess up your tattoo.

Answer 8

Sounds like you fooled around and let it get infected. You need to go to the doctor and get antibiotics. I have over thirty tattoos so I'm not blowing out my ***. Go to the doc.

Answer 9

maybe try changing the bandages, or disinfecting the area, and definetely visit your doctor. if the place or needle wasn't clean you may have some problems. It may also be an allergic reaction, or your skin may be sensitive.

Answer 10

See a doctor and then vow never to let anyone inject a foreign substance into your body unless it is a Doctor.

Then go to a plastic surgeon and have the tattoo removed.