My bf had a tattoo 1 week ago. Not his first tattoo, but he seems to be having a terrible reaction, possibly an infection. The worst areas are where green ink was used. He did start an antibiotic yesterday and is using triple antibiotic ointment on the tattoo. Any other ideas?
2007-03-24 11:25:26 · 6 answers · asked by alawton5 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
Tattoos are very risky things...
2007-03-24 11:31:34 · answer #1 · answered by liz26767 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Allergic reactions to inks aren't common but they do happen. Unfortunatley, inks aren't regulated by the government, so sometimes things get added that people react to. This can happen even with the best inks.
It's also possible that he's reacting to his aftercare. Is he using different lotion this time?
Are there actual signs of infection? (heat, pus, swelling worse than normal) If not then an antibiotic shouldn't be taken. The tripple antibiotic ointment could be causing trouble too. Has he been using it from the start, or just since he's had problems?
If you can describe the symptoms he's having it would help
2007-03-24 11:43:05 · answer #2 · answered by nymphetamine1978 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am heavily tattooed and I have never heard of a reaction to green ink, but I am sure it's possible.
I have had a allergic reaction to red and it was like the body was rejecting the ink. My skin totally forced the red out, it bubbled up and the ink kind of flaked off. To heal it I just put a very light coating of the Triple Antibiotic ointment on it, and let it breathe. Luckily there was minimal scarring and we were able to save the tattoo with a darker magenta color instead.
As odd as it may seem, seasonal allergies will also effect healed tattoos as well. During ragweed season, the purple on my sleeve raises up and itches like a rash. It lasts about two weeks every year, and I treat it like a new tattoo.
Most tattoo artists can't afford single serving ink so to speak, so they often pour a large container of ink into small caps that they dip there needle in, so I doubt that there was cross contamination or any transmission of any bloodborn pathogens.
I wouldn't get all hostel with you tattoo artist because of it, but I would go in and show them how your healing and get their feedback on it.
Tattoo artists in general prefer to know when customers have problems with a certain ink, so that they refrain from using that color in that particular brand.
You didn't list what his aftercare was up to the reaction, and that could also have something to do with his healing. If he is coating the tattoo heavily with a petroleum based product, that could have alot to do with poor healing.
Good Luck.
2007-03-24 11:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you guys make sure that the place where it was done at was clean
and
that they opened a new green ink for him
LIKE A BRAND NEW ONE
that might have been it
if that specific green was used already it can lead to infection
because the person that got tattoo before him had the needle dug into his skin and then the tattoo artist repeatedly dipped the needle into the green
if i were you i would go to the parlor were it was done and explain and demand an exsplaination
2007-03-24 11:36:44 · answer #4 · answered by darklightingcat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a reaction to the ink or it could be from a contaminated needle or ink bottle.
I would look into documenting your infection with photos and consult a lawyer. You may have a case. Make sure you go to the Dr.
2007-03-24 11:38:35 · answer #5 · answered by Kahlo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to say. People can be allergic to anything. Your best bet is to have him go to the doctor. Antibiotic ointments only prevent infection, they don't treat them.
2007-03-24 11:34:07 · answer #6 · answered by Trasheep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋