bumps 3 weeks later

Hello! I am hoping to find some advice. I got my 8th tattoo 3 weeks ago. It is on the top of my foot, has magenta, black brown and some yellow. The tat healed up beautifully. I washed it with antibacterial soap a couple of times a day for a week and used lubriderm (sparingly). Almost at the 3rd week, it started to itch badly and break out in these tiny goosebump like pimples all over the tat, not just on the magenta. The rash is not around the tat, only on it. I have 7 other tats, all over my body, and have never had a reaction like this. I put hyrocortisone creme directly on it and oral benedryl. Any idea what this is and how I can treat it? Has anyone else ever had this happen? My artist said it could be a "red reaction" but this doesnt explain why its on the other color as well. I am so freaked out. The artsist is very lighthanded. There is no issue of him going too deep. PLease help! Thanks so much

ok Addie, youve done right first... you talked with your artist. and he could be right it does sound like an ink reaction. did he give you any instructions with his explination? it is difficult to say what you have going on with your tattoo with out seeing it. i do wonder did you wear socks while it was healing? sometimes the dyes from our clothing can have ill effects on tattoos. and while im not trying to be insulting on this one, but do you have foot fugus? did you have a fungus prior to being tattooed? ultimately a seeing physician is the only thing to do if the answer you got from your tattoist did not satisfy you.

Thank you for your prompt response. Ironically, I wore socks the day before the "outbreak", I was able to go sockless for almost three weeks. I kind of thought maybe that was what triggered the irritation. Although, I would think not wearing them the next day would have cleared it up. I do not have any type of fungus and was super careful to keep the area clean. I also wonder if maybe I over lotioned? Would this cause this type of reaction? I am reluctant to go to my doc, I dont think she will have any idea how to treat a tat. I love her dearly, but I think an artist or fellow inked would know better. My friend said his foot did this, but it cleared up. Thank you again.

No Addie you probably did not over lotion ...I can almost guarantee that your skin is reacting to the over use of antibacterial soap....I see this regularly....antibacterial soaps by their very nature have marginally harsh additives...thats what kills bacteria...this chemical can , on rare occaisions cause a reaction...I bet if you switched to a mild true saop w/o additives you will see a difference immediately...hope I have helped...TAz

Thanks to you both! I THINK I am seeing an improvment today. It seems to be healing from right to left. Does that sound crazy? I just dont want a bumpy tat. I will check with a doc if it does not continue to smooth out. Does the foot seems to have other challenges than the normal area? Other that the fact it has to be left open to air and kept clean, does the circulation to the foot pose any delay in "recovery"? Tough spot on me no doubt about it. The pain was mild. My artist is lighthanded, I was impressed with the lack of pain (stomach was MUCH worse for me). However the healing process has been different. This is my first tat since I had a child (six years ago) and I cant help but wonder if my checmical make-up has changed also. Thanks again! DOVE SOAP from now on ;)

NO! NO! NO! .... Not DOVE!...Dove soap is full of perfumes and artificial emmollients that can wreak havoc on your tattoo...as I have said over and over use only pure soaps such as Ivory bar soap or Neutragena.

Shite, thats what I meant....Ivory, so pure it floats... thanks again

Hokay Addie!!!