Tattoo Problems
Topic OverviewProblems after getting a tattooTattoos and permanent makeup have been used by
most cultures for centuries and recently have become very popular with both men
and women. Most people who have a tattoo do not develop any problems. Home
treatment can help speed healing and prevent problems. A tattoo is
a series of puncture wounds that carry dye into the different levels of the
skin. At first, the tattoo may be swollen and there may be some crusting on the
surface. It is normal for the tattoo to ooze small amounts of blood for up to
24 hours, and it may ooze clear, yellow, or blood-tinged fluid for several
days. Problems with tattoos include: Be sure to consider all aspects of getting a tattoo. A
tattoo should be considered permanent.
Tattoo removal is hard and may cause scarring. It
may not be possible to completely remove a tattoo and restore your normal skin
color and texture. If you have not yet made a decision about tattooing, see the
Prevention section for information about tattooing. Temporary
tattoos, such as
henna tattoos (mehndi), may also cause problems. Although most of the
ingredients in temporary tattoos are safe for application to the skin, there
have been reports of allergic skin reactions (contact dermatitis) to the
ingredients in some of the tattoos. Henna tattoos are not approved for use by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Henna is a plant-based dye and is
approved for use only as a hair dye.
Consumers and health professionals are encouraged to
report adverse reactions to tattoos and permanent
makeup, as well as reactions to temporary tattoos.
Check your symptoms to
decide if and when you should see a doctor. Check Your SymptomsDo you have a problem with a tattoo? How old are you? Less than 12 years Less than 12 years 12 years or older 12 years or older This is more likely if you have had a bad reaction to something in the past. Yes Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) No Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) Are there any hives? Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin. They usually have red borders and pale centers. They may seem to move from place to place on the skin. Did the hives appear within the past 3 hours? Yes Hives appeared within past 3 hours No Hives appeared within past 3 hours Do you think you may have a fever? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? "Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps. Yes Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area No Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area Is there any swelling near the tattoo? Yes Swelling at site of tattoo No Swelling at site of tattoo Is the swelling severe and rapid? Severe swelling may cut off blood flow and make the area below the tattoo cool or painful. Yes Severe, rapid swelling near tattoo No Severe, rapid swelling near tattoo Is the swelling over a joint, such as the ankle, elbow, or hip? Yes Swelling is over a joint No Swelling is over a joint Has swelling lasted for more than 2 days? Yes Swelling for more than 2 days No Swelling for more than 2 days Have you had problems with the tattoo for more than 2 weeks? Yes Problems with tattoo for more than 2 weeks No Problems with tattoo for more than 2 weeks Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind
of care you may need. These include: - Your age. Babies and older
adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart
disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care
sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain
medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them
worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery
or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them
more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug
use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home TreatmentYou have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be
able to take care of this problem at home. - Try home treatment to relieve the
symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any
concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect).
You may need care sooner.
Symptoms of infection may
include: - Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or
around the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and
illness. Some examples in adults are: - Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease,
and HIV/AIDS.
- Long-term alcohol and drug
problems.
- Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety
of conditions.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for
cancer.
- Other medicines used to treat autoimmune
disease.
- Medicines taken after organ transplant.
- Not
having a spleen.
You may need a tetanus shot depending
on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot. - For a dirty wound that has
things like dirt, saliva, or feces in it, you may need a shot if:
- You haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
- For a clean wound, you may
need a shot if:
- You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
If proper technique and clean instruments are not used, there
is a chance of getting an infectious disease when you get a tattoo or body
piercing. Symptoms of an infectious illness
may include: - An overall feeling of tiredness and lack of
energy.
- Dark urine or light-colored stool.
- A new yellow
tint to the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Muscle or
joint pain that lasts a long time.
- Belly pain.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis) may include: - The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives)
all over the body.
- Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
- Trouble
breathing.
- Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused,
or restless.
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a
bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat
any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may
quickly become very severe. Seek Care NowBased on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. - Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and
arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have
one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an
ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving
yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area
where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care TodayBased on your answers, you may need care soon. The
problem probably will not get better without medical care. - Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms
and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't
have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and
seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care
sooner.
Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need
emergency care. Call911or other emergency services now. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical
care. - Make an appointment to see your doctor in the
next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you
are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have
any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Home TreatmentCaring for a tattooMost minor swelling and redness
(inflammation) from a tattoo can be treated at home. If your tattoo artist gave
you instructions, follow them carefully. If you did not receive
instructions for skin care of the tattoo site, try the following: - Stop any bleeding. Minimal bleeding can be
stopped by applying direct pressure to the wound. It is normal for the tattoo
site to ooze small amounts of blood for up to 24 hours and clear, yellow, or
blood-tinged fluid for several days.
- Apply a
cold pack to help reduce the swelling, bruising, or
itching. Never apply ice directly to the skin. This can cause tissue damage.
Put a layer of fabric between the cold pack and the skin. Take an
antihistamine, such as a nondrowsy one like loratadine (Claritin) or one that might make you sleepy like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to
help treat
hives and relieve itching. Be sure to read and follow
any warning on the label. Do not use strong soaps, detergents, and other
chemicals, which can make itching worse.
- Protect your tattoo with a
bandage if it might become dirty or irritated.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to a nonstick bandage, such as
Telfa.
- Apply the nonstick bandage with the petroleum jelly on it to the
tattoo site. The petroleum jelly will prevent the irritated skin from sticking to the
bandage. Putting the petroleum jelly on the bandage first will be less painful.
- Apply a clean bandage once a day and change the bandage
if it gets wet. If the bandage sticks, soak the tattoo area in warm water
for a few minutes or take the bandage off under running water in the
shower.
- Leave the bandage off with the skin open to air whenever
you can.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your pain: |
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| Safety tips| Be sure to follow these
safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
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- Carefully read and follow all directions
on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than the
recommended dose.
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
- If
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
it.
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
| Symptoms to watch for during home treatmentCall your doctor if any of the following occur during home
treatment: PreventionPreventing tattoo problemsYou can prevent problems from developing
at your tattoo site. Review the following guidelines and information before
making your decision to tattoo a part of your body. - Do not get a tattoo while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
- Get a
tetanus shot before your tattooing if you have not had
one in the past 10 years.
- Choose an experienced person who uses
sterile gloves and sterilized equipment to do the tattoo. Ask the person doing
the tattoo how he or she cleans the equipment and what
safety standards he or she follows. Sterile gloves and
sterilized equipment should be used. A fresh pair of gloves should be used for
each procedure. Make sure that the operator
washes his or her hands before putting on the gloves.
Ask the operator to change his or her gloves if he or she answers the telephone
or does anything else during your procedure.
- Check the studio and
see whether it looks clean. Ask the operator about sterilizing techniques and
safety standards.
- If you think you may
want to have your tattoo removed at a later date-dark blue, black, and red are
the easiest colors to remove with lasers. Bright colors-blue, green, and
yellow-are hard, if not impossible, to remove.
- If you have had
an
allergic reaction to tattoo dye in the past, do not
get any more tattoos. Be sure your health professionals know about these
allergies.
- Wear medical alert jewelry such as a
MedicAlert tag if you have had an allergic reaction after a
tattoo.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to the
henna used in a temporary tattoo, you have a higher
chance of developing a skin reaction to hair dye. Mix up a small amount of the
dye solution and paint it on a small patch of skin, such as the inside of your
wrist, to see if you are going to have a reaction to it. Do not use the hair
dye if your skin turns red or itches.
- Check with your city or county health department to
find out whether there have been any complaints about the studio you are
thinking of using.
Preparing For Your AppointmentTo prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. Questions to prepare for your appointmentYou can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to
answer the following questions: - Who did the tattoo? Where is the tattoo artist
located?
- When did you have the tattoo?
- Where on your
body is the tattoo? Have you had previous tattoos?
- What are your
main symptoms? When did your symptoms start?
- Were sterile
instruments used?
- What home treatment measures have you used to
clean or treat your tattoo? Be sure to include any nonprescription ointments or
creams you have applied to the tattoo.
- What prescription and
nonprescription medicines do you take?
- When was your last
tetanus shot?
- Do you have any
health risks?
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerH. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Current as ofApril 13, 2017 Current as of:
April 13, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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