When getting a new tattoo, whether it be your first, fifth, or fifteenth, you should be aware of the potential health concerns related with getting the tattoo. You can contract gangrene, syphilis, TB, hepatitis B and C, and HIV, from infected needles and instruments.

So, when getting a tattoo, it is important that you know that your tattoo artist is using new, sterile needles and clean instruments each time a new person comes in to get a tattoo; everything that comes in contact with human skin and will come in contact with blood and serum needs to be properly sterilized. Even if you don't see blood on the needles or instruments, it doesn't mean that you can't contract a disease or infection (and yes you can contract an infection from a dirty needle, especially if the person before you had an infection).

But, on the assumption that you've already checked out your tattoo artist and the tattoo shop, the next thing you can do to potentially prevent an infection is to carrying out proper aftercare, which you can check out at Tattoo Aftercare Tips.

An infection may be present if any of the following symptoms are present after getting your tattoo:

• Increased pain
• Major Swelling
• Large amounts of redness
• Very tender during/after healing
• Red streaks extend from the area
• Pus- creamy yellow, brown, or red
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes
• Fever

You may experience the infection at the tattoo or underneath the skin, deep within the wound. When the infection is set deeper, you'll experience fewer signs, except intense pain and possible swelling.

Remember that you can decrease the risk of infection by following proper aftercare for cleaning and caring for a new tattoo.

Since the infection can occur deep within the wound, you want to be careful of the tattoo, itself, healing on top of the infection. If your tattoo heals on the outside, leaving the infection blocked underneath, you may experience more serious complications such as an abscess or cellulite, as well as an overall worse infection, since the infection can spread to the bones, joints, and overall body.

If you have other diseases or health concerns, you may be at risk for an infection, even if you take proper care of your new tattoo. If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an impaired immune system, you are at a higher risk of infection and should consult a doctor immediately at the first signs of an infection.

If you think that you may have an infection in or around your new tattoo, you want to consult a doctor and find proper means of treating the infection before it leads to more serious problems and complications.

Generally, an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin, A&D Ointment, or Neosporin, will help heal the infection. You should never use a topical cream because you can clog your skin and further worsen the infection.

Only use a topical ointment if you know for a fact your tattoo is infected.

Remember to keep the tattoo dry. Do not swim or bath with an infected tattoo because you can potentially worsen the infection.

A doctor can properly diagnose an infection for you, and depending on how bad the infection is, your doctor may have to prescribe other means of treatment besides the topical ointment.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed physician. Consult your doctor if you think that you might have an infection in or around your new tattoo.