Foot tattoo- red (actually pink) and still hurts

I got a tattoo on the top of my foot 4 days ago- and although I am a nurse, this is not my area of experience. I am a little red in one area of the tattoo and it still really hurts. I did take some antibiotics, and kept it as clean as possible. I have also used triple antibiotic cream and lubriderm. I was instructed to use just lubriderm, but in past experiences with another tattoo- I used the triple antibiotice cream and it worked well. I also have been washing it twice daily with Dial soap. Any ideas? Or should I just wait it out? Should I discontinue anything that I have been doing? Help! I'm really nervous.

I would attach a picture- but I don't know how. :)

Yes I have a suggestion...QUIT USING DIAL SOAP!!...Dial, being an ATIBACTERIAL,inherently contains harsh surfactants and chemicals that can, and in my experience frequently do, not only irritate a fresh wound but can actually attack fresh pigments in a tattoo. You should never use any soap but the pure mild soaps like Ivory or neutragena etc...( no not DOVE...Dove is full of perfumes, another no no!) .I think you will find that your irritation will clear up almost immediately by switching to a mild soap...also the triple antibiotic you mentioned is not a cream it is an ointment that is antibiotics suspended in a petroleum base and these ointments are perfectly safe to use on a fresh tattoo as long as you use them SPARINGLY, and never for more than 3 or 4 days..use.a VERY small amount and massage it down into the tattoo so it will not interfere with the exchange of oxygen with the skin...tattoos , as all wounds, need oxygen to enable the healing process so too much oit\ntment can suffocate a fresh tattoo and delay the healing process...TAz

Thanks- I will STOP the dial soap right away. and try what you suggested. Thanks again!

You can e-mail me a pic [email removed]

And so I did. Thanks!!