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Symptoms Of An Infected Tattoo

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By ufgcom


Anytime you have any type of surgery or do anything that involves cutting or pricking the skin, you have the risk of getting an infection. An infection can cause serious problems for you ranging from destroying your new tattoo to causing death and is not something to be taken lightly. People with any form of hepatitis or AIDS should not be getting tattoos because they are at an elevated risk of infection and are more likely to suffer the most serious side effects from them. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:

  • Extreme redness or irritation. Of course there is going to be some redness and irritation from getting your tattoo done, but it should decrease within hours or days. If the redness or irritation starts to increase suddenly, you may have an infection.
  • Pain. The same thing holds true for pain. Your pain should decrease in increments after having your tattoo and if it starts to get worse instead, you should check with you doctor.
  • Fever. This is one of the surest signs of an infection, even if your temperature is just slightly elevated you should check with your doctor.
  • Swelling. It is normal to have a little swelling immediately after your tattoo, but again, if it gets worse instead of better you should seek medical attention right away.
  • An unusual odor can also be a sign of infection.
  • Any type of discharge or puss coming from your tattoo is also a bad sign.
  • Red streaks or sores that develop on or around your tattoo could indicate a simple infection—or something more serious like blood poisoning or a staph infection and you should proceed to the emergency room ASAP.

Since an infected tattoo could potentially kill you, you should not take any symptoms you have lightly. Even if you just have a "funny feeling" about it, you should check with your doctor to be on the safe side. You also want to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to prevent an infection in the first place. Your tattoo may take days or weeks to heal depending on its size, the care you take and any personal hereditary or health issues you may have. You need to keep the area clean and protected until it is properly healed. Using an antibiotic ointment can help keep bacteria out, but you don't want to wear it 24/7 because it won't let oxygen in either.

Infected Tattoos

Redness around the tattoo can be a sign of an infected tattoo.
Redness around the tattoo can be a sign of an infected tattoo.

An arm tattoo with a staph infection. This tattoo infection can be serious and should be looked at by a doctor.
An arm tattoo with a staph infection. This tattoo infection can be serious and should be looked at by a doctor.

Have You Ever Had An Infected Tattoo?

  • Yeah and it sucked!
  • No and I hope to never!
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notorious_HAI profile image

notorious_HAI  says:
6 months ago

Hey good hub. Nobody thinks about some of the negative consequences of a tattoo until they get an infection of some sort. I didn't know you could get staph infection from getting a tattoo. Yuck. Something to think about next time...

ufgcom profile image

ufgcom  says:
6 months ago

Most people can get infections if the needles used are not clean or the area around where the tattoo is going is dirty. Not only can you get infections but diseases from dirty needles. I have never seen an infected tattoo or known of anyone who has.

suzanne  says:
5 months ago

I had a tattoo , last sunday (21st) its now 6 days later , the tattoo is red swollen and leecking yellow fluid , ive had 8 previous tattoos and never had a problem , this sucks.its saturday night and carnt see a doctor till monday, wot sucks more than having the infection, is having to wait ,its dead worrying

ufgcom profile image

ufgcom  says:
5 months ago

I wouldn't worry about the 'leecking yellow fluid' that's actually normal. That is your body healing the tattoo because getting the tattoo is like having a needle rubbing underneath your skin. The red swollen part isn't normal so I would get it checked out.

When you get a tattoo you are supposed to put a cream of some type on it, which will make it feel better. My friend just got a new tattoo on his arm last Friday and its still healing, not red or swollen but he has been putting that cream on it. It helps it heal faster.

kell  says:
5 months ago

i got a new tattoo last week

ive had 7 before these ones and i did what ive done with every other tattoo ive ever had but this one is still red around some parts of it.

it is on my ankle and the foot i drive with so im confused whether i have an infection or just irritation

was told to put savlon on it which has helped a bit its healing but there is still redness in some spots

should i go to a doctor about it or maybe try some other cream??

ufgcom profile image

ufgcom  says:
5 months ago

Remember that I am no doctor when saying anything regarding what you should or shouldn't do. Two of my good friends just got tattoos, the guy got his on the inner forearm and the girl on the side of her chest/stomach. Both of them had redness and irritation, but that only lasted about 1 week.

Since your tattoo is on your ankle its so much easier to get it irritated just by the rubbing of your pants. I would wear shorts for a week and try not to rub it, if that is even possible for you.

Red around your tattoo is normal, but if its 'seeping' a lot after the first few days I would go see a doctor. A tattoo is just like a scratch on your body, just bigger. Usually tattoos take time to heal, so if nothing improves after the first 14 days, go get it checked.

Coco  says:
4 months ago

I was just wondering.. i have just gotten my second toattoo on my hip and it looks like its infected but im not sure... i've read the instructions given ontop of this page and im starting to get worried about it. It looks like it has been cut (so a deep cut) and it left a deep scab hole.. so what is it?

ufgcom profile image

ufgcom  says:
4 months ago

If you got a tattoo on your hip it can be just irritated from the movement of your clothing. I would try to wear loose clothes for a few days to help it heal faster. If the tattoo is red and pussy I would go get it looked at.

Usually tattoos take 7-10 days depending on the size and how intricate the tattoo is before its healed enough to withstand being rubbed or irritated.

Ant  says:
4 months ago

I've had my tattoo for exactly a week now, there seems to be little to no scabs, it is just beginning to peel. I have a bottle of Jergens Intense Moisture Thearpy -Non Scented lotion, is it ok to use that?

shaun stevens  says:
2 months ago

i have had a tatto for about a year and sometimes its goes all hard again iff it had just been redun

Lea  says:
2 months ago

Hi, had my third tat done a week last tuesday and it's still really red and sore looking. I have been using bepanthen on it then savlon. Could it be infected?

she11  says:
10 days ago

ive had a tattoo for 4 days now but i am a bit concerned about the burning sensation im sti11 fee1ing, the tattoo is very hot to touch and is very painfu11 sti11 is this norma1 wou1d 1ike some advice if anyones had simi1ar thanks.

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