Frequently Asked Questions
7 Signs That Will Tell Your Tattoo Is Infected
Tattoos are a form of self-expression that can hold deep personal meaning. However, it's important to remember that proper aftercare is crucial to ensuring your tattoo heals smoothly and avoids complications. While most tattoos heal without any issues, there's a small chance that an infection can occur. Being aware of the signs of a potential infection can help you take prompt action and ensure your tattoo remains a work of art rather than a cause for concern.
Dr K Swaroop of Ivory Hospital in Greater Noida will explain it in greater detail. He describes it as a skin illness that spreads by the use of tattoo needles and foreign ink particles. This can progress to a variety of different infections, such as shock syndrome or sepsis infection. Here are seven signs that may indicate your tattoo is infected:
Increased Redness and SwellingA certain amount of redness and swelling is normal during the initial stages of tattoo healing. However, if you notice that the redness and swelling are worsening instead of improving, it could be a sign of infection. Pay close attention to the area around the tattoo, as an infected tattoo site may appear more inflamed than the surrounding skin.
Persistent Pain and DiscomfortSome discomfort and tenderness are expected as your tattoo heals, but persistent pain that worsens over time is cause for concern. If your tattoo is becoming increasingly painful rather than gradually improving, it's worth investigating further.
Also read: Tattoo ink can have a negative long-term side-effect
Warmth to the TouchHealthy healing tattoos should not feel excessively warm when touched. If the area around your tattoo feels noticeably warmer than the rest of your skin, it could indicate an infection. This warmth is often a sign of increased blood flow to the area as your body fights off an infection.
Pus or Oozing FluidWhile a small amount of clear or slightly cloudy fluid is normal during the initial healing process, the presence of yellow, green, or thick pus is a sign of infection. Pus is a common indication that your body is trying to fight off harmful bacteria.
Unusual OdourAn infected tattoo site may emit an unusual, foul odour. This odour is often a result of bacterial growth and the breakdown of tissue in the infected area. If you notice a distinct smell coming from your tattoo, it's a good idea to seek medical attention.
Fever and ChillsSystemic symptoms like fever and chills are not typical during the tattoo healing process. If you develop a fever along with other signs of infection, such as those mentioned above, it could suggest that the infection is spreading and affecting your overall health.
Also read: Wrap Tattoo Healing Method: Here Are Its 5 Benefits
Delayed Healing and ScabbingTattoos normally go through stages of scabbing and peeling as they heal. However, if scabs are forming excessively, taking a long time to heal, or showing signs of infection (such as being discoloured, raised, or painful), it's a red flag that an infection could be present.
If you suspect your tattoo might be infected, it's essential to take action promptly. Ignoring the signs of infection can lead to complications and potentially impact the quality of your tattoo. Contact a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist or a doctor, who can properly diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate treatment. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed to combat the infection. Follow your doctor's instructions diligently and avoid picking at scabs or attempting to self-treat the infection.
Remember, practising good tattoo aftercare from the start can greatly reduce the risk of infection. Follow the care instructions provided by your tattoo artist and keep the area clean, moisturised, and protected from sun exposure. By staying vigilant and informed, you can ensure that your tattoo remains a beautiful and meaningful part of your life.
How To Tell If Your Tattoo Is Infected—And What You Should Do If It Is
Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD
Mild discomfort and skin irritation are pretty normal after getting a tattoo. But some symptoms like a bumpy rash, pus, pain, or fever might be the sign of an infected tattoo. This can happen when bacteria or other germs are transmitted through the skin via unsterile tattoo tools, products, or sanitary practices. Fortunately, once the infection is diagnosed, a healthcare provider can offer treatment options to manage it.
How Can a Tattoo Get Infected?To give a permanent tattoo, a tattoo artist will use a needle to prick and inject colored ink into the skin. The same is done for permanent makeup, a type of tattoo applied to look like eyeliner, lip liner, or eyebrows.
It's possible to develop a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection from the process. The infection can be acquired if the tattoo provider doesn't practice proper hygienic protocols or they use equipment that isn't sterile.
It's also possible to develop an infection if the ink that is being used has bacteria, mold, or other microorganisms. The ink can be contaminated with these elements even if the container is sealed or the label says the ink is sterile.
You might even get an infection if the water the tattoo artist is using to dilute the ink's pigment isn't sterile.
"Do-it-yourself" tattoo inks and kits have been tied to infections, as well.
Not cleaning the skin thoroughly before the tattoo process can lead to infection too.
It's also possible to develop the infection during the healing period either through improper wound cleaning or by contracting an infection while your skin is healing from the tattoo.
What Does an Infected Tattoo Look Like?Your skin goes through a normal healing process after getting tattooed. During this time, it's common to experience mild symptoms like itchiness, soreness, swelling, and skin flaking or scabbing. Your tattoo artist should tell you what to expect from the healing process.
If something in the tattooing process caused an infection, things might look or feel a little more alarming. The healing process your tattoo artist told you about might not be happening properly. You may notice any of the following signs or symptoms on the skin around the tattooed area:
A rash that can be itchy with scaly, raised, or swollen bumps
Excessive redness or discoloration, where the skin beneath the tattoo becomes darker instead of lightening up as it heals
Pus that oozes from blisters on the skin
Open sores that may have crusting
Pain that seems to be getting worse instead of subsiding
Skin that feels warm to the touch on and around the tattooed area
You may also notice other general signs of infection, which can include:
Fever
Chills and shivering
Sweating
Vomiting
Weakness
Drowsiness
Depending on the specific type of infection, symptoms of an infected tattoo can develop within days of getting a tattoo or they could take weeks or months to surface. Experts recommend keeping a close eye on your tattoo during the immediate healing process and beyond to spot an infection and get necessary treatment as soon as possible.
How to Tell If a Tattoo Is InfectedSkin changes after a tattoo don't necessarily mean an infection. A tattoo can also bring on an allergic reaction or a skin disease flare-up. This is why it's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis of your skin changes.
During this appointment, the healthcare provider may ask about the symptoms you're experiencing and how long they've been present. They'll likely perform a physical exam of the skin.
The provider may also order lab tests like a skin culture or blood test to help determine whether you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
Tattoo-related infections are usually bacterial. There are several types of bacterial infections that can be contracted via the tattoo process. Bacteria like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and spreading infections like cellulitis can cause swelling, redness, and pain.
Viral infections tend to be rarer but can include molluscum contagiosum (an infection caused by a poxvirus), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Less commonly, a fungal infection may develop, with some documented reports of fungal infections like ringworm (tinea corporis) stemming from a tattoo.
Related: Can You Get a Tattoo While Pregnant?
How To Treat an Infected TattooWhile it's possible to develop an infection that affects the entire body, potentially resulting in serious complications, most tattoo-related infections remain localized and manageable at the skin's surface.
Some mild skin infections may clear up fairly quickly with treatments like a topical ointment or short-term oral antibiotics. More serious infections might require a longer course of medical treatment to fully heal.
The specific treatment options a healthcare provider would recommend will depend on the exact type of infection you have and how severe it is. Treatment options might involve:
Topical medications, like an antibiotic ointment for a bacterial infection or an antifungal cream for a fungal infection
Oral medications, such as antibiotics to help clear a bacterial infection, antivirals to manage a viral infection, or corticosteroids to reduce swelling in some cases
Intravenous (IV) medications given in a hospital setting to treat a severe or stubborn infection
Over-the-counter pain relievers, like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) to help ease any discomfort
Medical procedures to help drain pus from an infected area
Knowing the brand, color, and lot or batch number of the ink might help determine what exactly caused the infection and how to best treat it. You can get this information by contacting the tattoo artist. If they know that an infection might be tied to their ink, they will know to stop using it for future customers, as well.
How To Prevent Tattoo InfectionWhile it's not always possible to control every aspect of your environment, there are some steps that experts recommend taking to help prevent the chances of contracting an infection before, during, or after the tattoo experience:
Check with your state or local health department to inquire about a particular studio or tattoo artist's license or registration. You can also inquire with the department about any complaints that may have been filed about the shop or artist.
Ask the tattoo artist or shop owner what their disinfecting and sterilization processes are, including the use of sterilization equipment.
Ensure that the tattoo artists wears a new pair of gloves and uses a brand-new, sterilized needle with each tattoo session.
After the tattoo is complete, you'll want to practice proper skin aftercare to minimize the chances of an infection forming. Make sure to:
Wash your hands before touching a healing tattoo.
Follow the bandage and cleaning aftercare instructions the tattoo artist provided.
Use a plain liquid antibacterial soap when gently cleansing the area, and lightly pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Moisturize the skin with a small amount of unscented moisturizer for a few weeks post-tattoo.
Avoid wearing rough clothing fabric that might irritate the skin for the first couple weeks after getting inked.
Avoid picking at the area. Even if you notice a thin layer of skin beginning to shed, don't pick; this is a normal part of the healing process.
Skin infections can tend to get worse without treatment, so keep an eye out for signs like increasing pain, swelling, pus, and redness or discoloration during the healing process to prevent further complications.
A Quick ReviewGetting a tattoo isn't a totally risk-free experience. This process can expose you to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, whether from a contaminated product, poor sterilization practices at the tattoo parlor, or improper skin aftercare. If you notice signs of an infection—such as pain, swelling, open sores, pus, itching, fever, or chills—contact a healthcare provider and the tattoo artist. The healthcare provider can make a diagnosis and prescribe any necessary treatment like antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal medication to help clear or manage the infection. The tattoo artist can provide details about the products used to help in the diagnosis and treatment and also make sure the contaminated product isn't used on anyone else.
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I Got A Cute Clam Hand Tattoo But It Was A Disaster, It Ended Up Oozing Puss & I Had To Get On An IV & Get It Covered Up
A TATTOO fan has shared how a fatal clam tattoo caused her to spend several nights in hospital.
The creator said she was in agony after getting a tattoo that started oozing puss.
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A tattoo fan has shared how a fatal clam tattoo caused her to spend several nights in hospitalCredit: tiktok/@elporterofficial3
Erin was in agony after getting the tattoo she got started oozing pussCredit: tiktok/@elporterofficialErin Porter shares her story in a TikTok video online.
She said: " So I'm gonna tell you guys how I ended up with an infected tattoo that bad."
The beauty fan explained her tattoo is now all covered up but the story behind it was shocking.
She said: "Now that it's covered it's all good."
The tattoo fan said straight after getting her clam tattoo everything seemed fine.
She said: "So the first day I got it done, it actually didn't look so bad. Like, it was a pretty nice tattoo."
With a lot of tattoos already Erin said she was well informed on proper tattoo aftercare.
She said: "I've healed a lot of tattoos in my life."
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I thought I rocked my black dress, I couldn't work out why people were staringDOG DAYS
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I'm a prison wife - how I visit 'pound town' for romps with my husband"Infections can happen to anyone, and it can be either the artist or the client's fault. In this case, it happened within the first 48 hours, which indicates that it was actually part of the application of the tattoo."
It became clear something was wrong with Erin's tattoo the day after she got it.
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She said: "So the next day tattoos are a little painful, that's normal. Um, however, it was fucking excruciating for me. If I put my hand down, it was really, really painful."
Shockingly the tattoo started leaking puss.
Erin said: "And I noticed that it should stop leaking plasma. After the first night, it was continuously leaking plasma."
She said: "After about four or five days, when it wasn't healing at all, I went and got antibiotics and they did absolutely f**king nothing."
Eventually Erin had no choice but to seek further medical help, so she went to the hospital.
She said: "they put me on an IV, they looked at it, and they said it definitely was in the application because this infection is under your skin."
Erin had to take antibiotics for two weeks and go on an IV drip.
She said: "And my body was fucking shot after that. My hair started falling out."
Erin said she suspected the cause of the infection was contaminated ink or contaminated wash water.
She explained: "Basically, a lot of artists use distilled water. Now, distilled water can sit on a shelf for a very long time.
"There's no regulations on it. And still does not mean sterile. So there could be bacteria growing in there and growing resistant bacteria inside that water bottle. Transfer to the wash bottle goes into the skin."
Erin concluded: "Pretty sure it was the ink that had just kind of been contaminated. That bacteria continued to grow, causing me to get an infection and I ended up in a hospital."
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In the end Erin had to get her tattoo covered upCredit: tiktok/@elporterofficial
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