Content

• Steps
• Advice

Every tattoo causes a slight discomfort within the first few hours and days, but it can be difficult to distinguish a common discomfort from more serious signs of infection. When you grasp the signs to look out for, your recovery will be much less tiring. Learn how to recognize signs of infection, identify treatments, and keep your tattoo clean.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Recognize the signs of infection

1. 

   Wait a few days before concluding. On the day of the tattoo, the entire tattooed area will be red, slightly swollen, and very sensitive. The new tattoo will be relatively painful and as red as a severe sunburn. During the first 48 hours after getting the tattoo, it's not known if the tattoo has been infected, so don't jump to conclusions. Take proper care of the tattoo according to the instructions and wait a while.
   • Pay attention to the pain. If the tattoo is causing severe pain for more than three days after getting it tattooed, return to the salon and have a tattoo checked.

2. 

   
   
   Watch for severe swelling. Large or complex tattoos take longer to recover than small and simple tattoos, but if the new tattoo is painful for more than three days, it could be a sign of infection. New tattoos are usually a bit swollen but should go away within a few days.
   • Feel the heat of tattooed skin with your hands. If the tattooed area feels hot, it could be a sign that the tattoo is seriously inflamed.
   • An itchy sensation, especially the itch that develops from a tattoo, is also a sign of an allergy or infection. Tattoos are usually mildly itchy, but if you notice a lot of itching and more than a week after getting it tattooed, get tested.
   • Redness can also be a sign of infection. The tattooed area will be slightly red where the lines are located, but if the red spots become darker instead of fading, and you feel more pain rather than less, it is a sign of infection.

3. 

   
   
   Watch for severe swelling. If the skin inside or just around the tattoo is suddenly swollen unevenly, it could be a sign of infection. Blisters or pus that appear in this area are a sure sign of infection and should be treated immediately. If the tattoo becomes swollen and raised instead of going down, get it checked out right away.
   • A strange odor of discharge is also a serious sign. Seek medical attention immediately.
   • Notice the red lines that emanate from the tattoo. If you notice this, seek medical attention immediately as you may have a blood infection.

4. 

   
   
   Temperature. Whenever you are concerned about the risk of infection, you should take your temperature and make sure it's not too high. If you feel like you have a fever, it could be a sign of infection and you should get treatment soon.

Part 2 of 3: Treating an infection

1. 

   Show tattooist the infection. If you are concerned about a tattoo but are not sure if it is infected, the first person you should meet is your tattoo artist. Show them current status and ask them to evaluate.
   • If you experience serious symptoms such as: a discharge that smells strange and painful, skip this step and see your doctor right away for appropriate treatment.

2. 

   See a doctor. If you have discussed with a tattoo artist and have taken care of the tattoo as much as possible and still have symptoms of infection, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get an antibiotic. Usually, the doctor won't treat the tattoos topically, but prescribing medicine will help you fight the infection.
   • Start using the directed antibiotics as soon as possible to help your body fight the infection. Most topical infections are easy to treat, but sepsis are serious and need to be addressed early.

3. 

   Use topical ointment according to the instructions. Your doctor may prescribe a topical ointment with an antibiotic to help your tattoo heal. Apply the ointment regularly and keep the tattoo clean. Wash the tattoo gently with clean water twice daily, or follow your doctor's own instructions.
   • After the treatment, you may need to cover the tattoo with bandages, but expose it to air to avoid further infection. The tattoo should be well ventilated.

4. 

   Keep the tattoo dry while you wait for the infection to heal. Wash the tattoo often with fragrance-free soap and clean water, then pat it dry completely before re-bandaging or letting the tattoo "breathe". Do not cover the tattoo or get the tattoo infected.

Part 3 of 3: Prevent infections

1. 

   Allergy test before tattooing. While it is uncommon, many people may be allergic to certain ingredients in tattoo ink, which can cause pain when getting a tattoo or creating a bad tattoo. It's best to get an allergy test first if you're going to get a tattoo.
   • Normally, black ink does not contain allergenic ingredients, but other color inks will have additives that cause reactions in some people. If you want to tattoo with Indian tattoo ink, you will not have any problems at all despite the sensitive site.

2. 

   Only tattooed at reputable establishments. If you are going to get a tattoo, take the time to research the reputable tattoo houses and facilities near you to make sure that the tattooist is licensed to practice, and that the salon has a good reputation for its level of protection birth and customer satisfaction.
   • Avoid self-tattooing techniques at home. Even if your friends are "extremely good at" tattooists, you should make an appointment with a licensed tattoo artist.
   • After making an appointment, if you arrive and find the facility is behaving in obscurity or the environment is not clean, cancel the appointment and leave. You can find another better tattoo facility.

3. 

   Make sure the tattooist will use a new needle for you. Good tattooists put cleanliness first, and they will show you clearly that they unpack new needles and put on gloves. If you don't see this, ask them. Good tattoo salons will clearly explain and respect your safety concerns.

4. 

   Keep the tattoo clean. Always take care of your tattoo according to the tattooer's instructions and make it your top priority. After 24 hours from the time of tattooing, gently wash the tattoo with warm soapy water and blot dry completely.
   • The tattoo artist will usually give you a tube of topical ointment to keep the tattoo clean and healed. You should apply within 3 to 5 days after tattooing. Do not apply Vaseline or any other cream on new tattoos.

5. 

   Keep the tattoo well ventilated. For the first few days after getting the tattoo, you will need to let the tattoo clear and heal naturally. Avoid wearing clothes that irritate the tattooed area and avoid sunlight to prevent the ink from fading.

Advice

• If you are unsure, see your doctor. Safety first.
• If more than one symptom of infection appears after the tattoo, you need to get medical attention. Infections can harm and affect your life. See a tattooist before you see a doctor, as they are more experienced in tattoo care and will know how to provide proper support.