When encountering any symptoms surrounding or within a tattoo, consult a dermatologist to address them promptly and appropriately. By seeing an expert quickly, the issue will be handled more effectively.
Rashes on new Tattoos are relatively infrequent and should subside after a few days if you can pinpoint what caused them. Numerous things could cause redness, bumps, or itching, but these are rarely severe.
Allergic Reactions
If your tattoo leaves red, bumpy, itchy skin in its wake, it could be an allergic reaction. While any color used in tattooing could potentially trigger such reactions, red mercury sulfide pigment (cinnabar) is most often responsible for such reactions and, less frequently, black, purple, or green ink; they may even manifest as lichen planus or granulomas as symptoms of allergies.
Any redness associated with a new tattoo should go away quickly. If it persists beyond several days, seek medical advice immediately from a dermatologist or physician.
Tattoos may exacerbate preexisting conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis if they already exist in your body, leading to itching, scabbing, and flaking skin – potentially life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis requiring immediate medical attention should occur. It’s, therefore, wise to have someone accompany you when getting inked and seek medical advice immediately if symptoms suggest these reactions could occur.
Infections
If you suspect your tattoo has become infected, the first step should be to speak with your tattoo artist. They should be able to quickly ascertain its source and offer solutions.
Visit your dermatologist immediately after experiencing symptoms; they should be able to accurately identify the infection and prescribe medicine to help resolve it quickly.
Infections may arise either when bacteria enter a still-healing tattoo or from an outbreak of virus or bacteria anywhere on the body. Signs of an infection include pus-filled pimples, itchy bumps, excessive swelling, and red blotchiness.
Infections may also result from a granulomatous reaction to ink pigment immediately or later. This usually happens with red-hued dyes, but any color can trigger such reactions; other autoimmune diseases like sarcoidosis may also contribute.
Sun Exposure
Tattoo-covered skin can be highly delicate after receiving its new ink, and too soon exposure to sunlight may result in red, bumpy rashes forming on its surface. Your body views the ink as foreign material and creates an immune response against it – particularly with yellow tattoo ink containing cadmium sulfide; red, black, and blue inks may also cause reactions for photosensitive skin.
If you find your tattoo is giving you discomfort and itching the area, try applying aloe vera gel to soothe sunburn and moisturize skin while taking antihistamines to reduce itching and other allergy symptoms. If the rash persists beyond two weeks or two days, seek medical advice and see if more potent antihistamines could be prescribed; otherwise, it should clear itself over time.
Other Causes
Sometimes, rashes may be caused by medical conditions. If the inflammation becomes painful or swollen or begins oozing pus, consult a physician as soon as possible – they may prescribe antibiotics to clear out the infection quickly and efficiently.
If the rash is due to an allergic reaction, using unscented lotion or cream can help alleviate its itching. Over-the-counter antihistamine drugs like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may also help reduce flare-ups.
Rashes after getting a tattoo can be expected, so they must be treated carefully. Keep the skin moisturized and clean, following your artist’s aftercare instructions and any allergies or chronic conditions like eczema or psoriasis, especially products that cause flare-ups of these conditions. In the case of acne breakouts caused by improper tattoo aftercare products or their misuse, pimples typically form when oils, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells block hair follicles; flights usually go away without treatment needing treatments being necessary.
