Tattoo Reaction?

Question

I got a tattoo a month ago and i think i reacted to the red ink in my tattoo

my skin is swollen hard itchy and scabby

is there something i should take for it? should i see my gp?

i have started taking anti histamines

Answer 1

If the reaction you are describing is only over or around the red ink, you are likely reacting to it, although it is not common after only one month unless you have red somewhere else before.

Many times it is precipitated by sun exposure or heat. Some people use a cortisone cream over the raised itchy areas. Show it to your tattoo artist.

Answer 2

I would continue taking the anti histamines and even try some of the cream they have like benedryl cream on it. Stop by the tattoo parlor and ask them what they think. They should be able to tell you if it looks like you need to see the dr. It's probably a reaction to the red ink in the tattoo and will go away as your body gets used to it.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You are probably having a red reaction. Some people have an allergic reaction to tattoo pigment, the most common color to react to is red. Some tattoo artist "dry tattoo" the area with witch hazel. I have seen my husband do it with much success.
Go back and talk to the tattoo artist he (or she) may be able to help. Taking anti -histamines is probably a good idea, you can also get the anti-histamine/cortizone cream to use on the affected area.

Answer 4

"I got a tattoo before learning about Jehovah," relates Amy. "I try to keep it covered. When others in the congregation happen to see it, I feel embarrassed." The message? Think before you ink. Don't make a decision that you may regret later. There are also health concerns you should consider. Dr. Robert Tomsick, an associate professor of dermatology, comments: "What you're doing is breaking the skin and introducing pigmented material into the area. Even though the needle only goes in a little way, anytime you break the skin, you have a risk of bacterial or viral infection. I think [getting a tattoo] is generally a risky thing to do." Dr. Tomsick continues: "Once pigment is in, even if there's no infection, there's always the chance of contact allergies, dermatitis and allergic reactions that can cause skin to get red, swollen, crusty and itchy." Despite the intended permanence of tattoos, various methods are used in attempts to remove them: Laser removal (burning the tattoo away), surgical removal (cutting the tattoo away), dermabrasion (sanding the skin with a wire brush to remove the epidermis and dermis), salabrasion (using a salt solution to soak the tattooed skin), and scarification (removing the tattoo with an acid solution and creating a scar in its place). These methods are expensive and can be painful. "It's more painful to have a tattoo removed by laser than to get the original tattoo," says Teen magazine.

Answer 5

Sounds natural to me... mine itched like crazy and it was scabbed (red even) for a week.

Make sure you are using plenty of lotion on it. I used Curel skin lotion on my stomach tattoo as suggested by the artist who inked me.

If you have any concerns, I'd first consult the tattoo artist who done your tat and see what they think. They should be knowledgeable enough to direct you to a doctor if they believe it to be anything other than natural skin irritation.

Answer 6

Have you been following the care instructions they gave you? You need to follow them to the T if you want your tattoo to look good. I personally don't have any, but have a lot of friends/family members that do and the difference in those who took care of theirs after getting them and those that didn't is definitely noticeable....if you don't take care of it you are going to lose color.....if you don't keep it moisturized enough you are going to lose color unevenly...which looks even worse.

The antihistamines will help with the itching, but I would definitley talk to the tattoo artist and get some suggestions....what are they having you put on it? A tatto is art on your body, just like any art...you have to take care of it.

Answer 7

A tattoo looking like this after a month is kind of strange, and not part of the healing process.

Go show it to your tattoo artist for sure, they usually know best and can tell you what to do from there.

Answer 8

See a skin doc.
One of my friends had a reaction like yours to the red ink in his tat and had to have a chunk "removed". Fortunately for him, it was a small chunk.

Answer 9

Yeh id get a blood test bro!
Just hope the needles where steralized when the tattoist did it..

Answer 10

over the counter benedriyal may help that. the pill form
relieves itching and so does the lotion.
you may want to consider both.
if it has been going on that long, the physical
problems you may want to consider seeing the dr.