Tattoo-covered skin can become susceptible to infections of various severity levels. When caught early enough, most conditions are treatable and will not negatively impact their visual aesthetics.
Symptoms of Infection
Pain: If the area surrounding your new tattoo starts itching or scabbing over, that could indicate an infection. Contact a physician immediately.
Swelling: After receiving a tattoo, it’s normal for your skin to swell and feel warmer for several days. Some infections can cause tattoos to swell up, turn red and pus-filled, or develop into abscesses under the skin. Seek immediate medical treatment in these cases.
Heat: Infected tattoos may feel warm as the body fights the infection. Redness and increased temperature in the tattooed area are signs of bacterial infection.
Fever: Tattooing punctures the skin, triggering the immune system to prepare for a potential infection. If a rash, abnormal swelling, or pus-filled blistering appears around your tattoo, seek medical advice immediately.
Treatments
Hospital admission may be necessary for extreme cases, especially if sepsis (infection in the bloodstream or organs) is a concern. Sepsis requires immediate hospitalization and cannot be solely treated with IV antibiotics.
