blisters on my new tattoo

I got my first tattoo four days ago on the lower part of my leg, close to my ankle. It was fine at first, just sore and slightly red. Now, my ankle is swollen, it is real red around the edges and I have little blisters filled with slightly yellow fluid seeping from the colored parts of my tattoo. It was soooo freakin' sore yesterday, I could barely walk on it, though no blisters, today it is better to walk on but with the blisters. I have been putting triple antibiotic cream on it like I should and I am keeping it clean. I don't want to sound like an idiot since it is my first tattoo and all, but should I let it run it's course, go see a doctor, or what? I definately don't want infection to set in and ruin my tattoo or MY LEG! Please let me know what you think, someone that knows what they are talking about PLEASE!

You are probably having a reaction to the ointment....The first thing to do is to consult your artist and take his/her advice!!...TAz

ditto with taz also when your in the shower get the water nice and hot and let it hit that tattoo for a few minutes.helps flush out the dried blood and such.

hi dude, its a reaction to the ink. consult ur artist, you will have to wait for it to heel (it will take slightly longer than usual) then probably have to go over it again. If its more than one colour, see if its just around one colour and when goin over it again use a different brand. Although it sounds like it must be just one ink (black). Most importantly...dont worry about it! Just keep it clean!

This guy is a new tattoo artist from the outskirts of town (my best friend's boyfriend) and that is why I am very nervous. He didn't really give me much info on how to care for it in the first place. I certainly appreciate your feedback, but I think I am going to play it safe and go see a doc : )

good choice keep us posted on it thanks don

Good Choice!!!...We see this a lot and it is almost certainly a reaction to the ointment...some skin just doesn't like it...Go to the doc!...And tattoo artists...please PLEASE make sure your clients are well informed on the aftercare of your work!! We hear it everyday.. "my artist didn't tell me how to take care of it!"...aftercare is the 2nd most important thing in getting a tattoo...now I realize that a lot of people just will not listen to what you tell them but ya gotta put forth the effort...thats YOUR work they will be showin ti people!..TAz

Okay, so I went to the doc and it is indeed........ INFECTED! I am wondering now, what do I do as far as care for it? The ointment I used was obviously the problem and now that it is infected I am not sure what to put on it or to leave it dry (can I do this?). I definately don't want to run to the doc again, I am broke : ) .... I do have an oral antibiotic she gave me but as far as creams or whatever please someone inform me if you can!

Forgot to add, many say just use a regular lotion with no fragrance (wouldn't that irritate it more since it is already infected?). For now I am leaving it dry, but won't it crack and bleed and lose it's color? AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH! Anyone there to answer me????

At this point just let it dry and heal...the body has amazing self healing powers...You may lose a bit of color depending on the severity of infection but should turn out ok...will probably require touch up!....The oral antibiotic will work wonders practically overnight...but use it till its gone!... As far as where the infection came from do not assume it came from your artist...a new tattoo is an open wound and can be infected in thousands of ways Also drink LOTS of water!! Hope we have been helpful dear thanks for posting and if posible stay in touch and let us know how things turned out also a photo would be nice!!...E-mail me if I can be of further assistance! TAz from Painted Angel Studios

dry heal.............. oral zinc supplements

Thank you guys so much for your help, I certainly appreciate it! I will send a photo after it heals and I have some of how it looks now and before when it was first done the other night. I will send them all to you, thank you again!

Why has no one mentioned the possibility of a staff infection? During those 4 days anything may have come in contact with the tattoo. Not necessarily an ink reaction etc.

And that is just what I said...And thats why I ALWAYS suggest that they see a doctor...Staph infections can be DANGEROUS!''And like I said the infection probably did not come from the tattoo artist IF he/she was a professional...you can just rub up against the wrong thing and...VOILA!!!...automatic infection!! So once again my arrowhead nappin, tattooin, machine buildin,water colorin friend..we are in complete agreement. So when ya comin down or out or which the fug ever? And when do I get my Beeyooteeful machines???...LOL!!...TAz

Been working in shop all day...Getting things ready....MIGHT have a couple machines soon.lol. As for comming down....DAM! I wish you were local. Id work with you in a heart beat.