Is it Infected?

I recently got a little heart tattooed on my hip (3 weeks ago) I didn't know that I couldn't take a bath and woke up sick one day and hopped in the tub. Now I have little red bumps (like pimples) around my tattoo. Is it infected, and what should I do? Is there anything I can do besides go to the doctor? I don't have Health Insurance and I just lost my job.

hard saying your detail is pretty open so lets see here ok 1 hip area ok color? could be a small reaction to the ink bumps around tattoo or in tattoo was it professionally done if so go to the artist that did it and ask that artist. if it was done with a hommade GUN and not a MACHINE well get to the doc this area of a tattoo does get wear from clothes rubing up against it. also heres what i tell my clients in a very short format otherwise wed be here for 20 minutes lol wash tattoo 2 to 3 times a day wash with hand and mild soap pat dry tattoo dont rub let air dry for 10 to 15 min apply a very thin layer of ointment for the first 3 days 3 to 4 times a day after that use a non scented lotion apply 3 to 4 times a day do not over due it as this will clog the pores and cause pimple type bumps around tattoo

if the tattoo is not inflamed meaning red and swollen and pussing its probably not infected it sounds more like a skin irritation.could be blocked hair folicles or simple rash at 3 weeks it should be preety healed unless you had scabs this could take longer to heal.my recommondation would be to wash area with an antibactireal soap a couple time per day and keep it dry ,let your body take care of the rest.and if it is swollen and red consult a doctor even though most doctors dont even know how tattoos are applied but they do know how to perscribe antibiotics.hope this helps jrod

Needless to say, the internet is not the best place to look for medical advice. you should consult your tattoo artist if you trust them, or a skin doctor. I would suggest a very reputable tattoo artist cause as J-Rod said, Doctors dont heal tattoos off every day, and tattoo artists do. All that said, I have gotten skin rashes during the healing proccess. I have developed an alergic reaction to lubriderm and some healing methods make me break out. I usually stop doing whatever it Im doing and let the skin heal itself up.

I lost some of my color when the scab came off in the tub. The artist who did it said that he would touch it up for free, so when I go back I'll ask him if it infected or not. The color around it is fine it was a bit red for a while. The bumps seem to be clearing up a bit, maybe I was useing too much A&D.

Have you found out what the rash was yet? I had a small tattoo on the back of my left shoulder and 5 days later got a rash like you describe here. It doesn't itch or bother me, just some red bumps.

Well I got a tattoo on the lower part of my back on Saturday night and today is Wednesday and its bruised and itches..it has formed red bumps all around the tattoo and is traced in red...the bumps look like boils and hurt..i wash my tattoo about twice a day and apply A&D ointment and vaseline on it..im scared im allergic or something..but now that i hear this is sounds like its normal...hopefully it will go away within a couple weeks..aww and its scabbed real bad..im loosing some color ..but i just want it to heal and so yeah ...

QUOTED ******* Well I got a tattoo on the lower part of my back on Saturday night and today is Wednesday and its bruised and itches..it has formed red bumps all around the tattoo and is traced in red...the bumps look like boils and hurt..i wash my tattoo about twice a day and apply A&D ointment and vaseline on it..im scared im allergic or something..but now that i hear this is sounds like its normal...hopefully it will go away within a couple weeks..aww and its scabbed real bad..im loosing some color ..but i just want it to heal and so yeah ...********* um well you are using vaseline on a fresh tattoo so that is a problem and I am guessing you are putting on a lot so it is all moist all the time and the scabs are from the lymph fluid crystalizing. It is better to do less healing product and allow your own body to heal. I heal my own pieces and those on my clients with Aquaphor ointment and Aveeno (with oatmeal) lotion and most people heal with in 5 days. You shouldn't get all sorts of huge scabs if YOU take care of the work properly, it is not up to the artist to hold you by the hand while healing. It is your job to follow the healing instructions we the artists give you. We might have different healing instructions but they are what works best for us so just do it and allow your piece to heal. People always want to say it was something the artist did wrong when THEY don't take care of the work they have. Once you leave the studio it is YOUR responsibilty to take care of the work and if I have someone come back that has not followed healing and the tattoo looks like they healed it crappy I will end up charging them, We the artists can tell if it was from our tattooing or your neglect.

Thanks for replying..yeah i went and asked the artist today..he told me to quit using the vaseline and A&D and so i quit..well the bed bumps looks like i broke out started spreading all over my back...so im sorda freaked, but im just gonna let it dry out and hopefully the bumps will go away, my skin is prolly just irritated..yeah its my doing..not the artist...but does neosporin help? o and if u have ur cartlidge guaged should u use salt to clean it? (a certain kind) Thanks so much ..

I got a tattoo about three days ago... And from the day i got it , it seemed abnormal. It was actually a cover up tat, and the artist had to go deeper into my skin with the color in order to completely cover the previous tat. Anyway by now, the tat has completely scabbed over 100%, this has never happened before with any tattoo i have. And today the entire scab peeled off in one piece while i was in the shower. There is no redness, and the puffy ness comes and goes, what im most concerned with is the coloring. Im afraid that since the tattoo has a constant gooey layer over it, most of the color is going to bleed out. An email in response to this would be better... my email is [email removed] thanks!

I've been doing tattoos for 3 years and My most recent one was about 1 year ago I just started noticing small bumps in the tattoo just in certain area its just a simple black tribal tattoo I get my ink through Joe Kaplin out of NY. The bumps don't itch and don't have any heads on them. The bumps are just in the middle of the tattoo and there not abounch of them but it enough for me to notice. What are they I have 12 tattoos most of them are big but this is a small tribal on my wrist. Plus I've had it for a year. What could it be?

i'm having the same problem as the guy above, i got a tattoo about a year ago and now i notice little bumps around the black outline of my tattoo. I have more than a few tattoos but only this one is showing bumps. I heard it could be a skin reaction called Ganoalas or something along those lines, and they could appear years after having the tattoo. So i dont know if anybody can help me on this, but any info would be great. As for the piercing use sea-salt in warm water, i think its one teaspoon for every 4oz of water (i think), but just go on the slave to the needle web site and it will say.

I have a medium size black tribal tattoo on my lower back. I've noticed raised bumps covering every bit of the tattoo. The bumps first appeared two years after getting the tattoo. They only show up where there is ink. They don't itch. They last a few days and then go away. I thought it may have something to do with using a tanning bed. Any thoughts?

i've been keeping my tattoo out of the sun (i had been working outside in the sun everyday) and it appears that the bumps are slowly starting to go away, so i would say using a tanning bed might be a big issue. I've realized how crucial it is to put lots of sunscreen over my tattoos or keep a long sleeve shirt on. hope this info might help.

dont touch or pick at the bumps, clean 2-3 times a day and they should go away relatively soon. apply a THIN THIN layer of fragrance free lotion 2 times a day. Aloe Vera Jergens works good 2.

Kyle ...didn't your artist tell you NO UV RAYS including direct sunlight and ESPECIALLY TANNING BEDS??....JESUS!!! Besides chlorine in pools UV rays are the worst enemy of a fresh tattoo. I do not understand why artists do not tell their clients about this ...we see it every day....people come in with what was obviously a decent tattoo before they exposed it to the sun or went tanning...and they usually try to blame it on the artist of course...our clients are told about the damaging effects of UV rays before they are tattooed, during the tattoo , after the tattoo and given written instructions that plainly adress the UV ray issue before they leave the shop.....TAz

hey i am 13 and i just gave my self a tatto it is kinda sticky on the out side and it is not red or any thing could it be infected .it is only a little sore from the neddle. my grandma doesnt know bout it should i tell her and ask her to take me to teh doctor

No don't tell! Let it get REALLY infected then get Gangrene and get your arm amputated! You deserve it!

Jesus Christ...what is wrong with these people?

I got a tatt on my upper chest ,the guy smashed me and went deep as with needle was red sore .2 or so days later started to develop small red pimple like boils itchy as hell,went to Doctor diagnosed as skin /blood infection called " Impetigo" if untreated can turn nasty .Could be from non sterile tools or the site may not have been cleaned properly .As hard as it is trust me don't scratch as when you touch another part of skin spreads easy .

i got this tattoo, and a few days after i got iy *note* it wasnt the tattoo i think it was te AD ointment, well anyways i got red infecte bumps. with b;ack heads inside them, huge like boilss,and oen is growing in word, i hgae a family reunion to go to on the 9th of sugustm, but idont wanna go to the doctor, is theree any meds or creams that i can buy, to help them go away FAST i need them gone by aug 9th please get back if u kno any ingredeants i can use to get rid of them fast!] please please please write back its sooo importanmt

WOW...I think you're the dumb chic that was on my team deranking in Halo2 when played a week or 2 ago. That's hilarious if it's you cause you got what you deserved smartass. If it's not then disregard this, but I'm pretty sure it was you being that you're e-mail is exactly what the gamertag was. As far as your problem...go to the doctor before it gets worse dumbass. You probably need antibiotics.

ummm i didnt know were else im supposed to ask a question but i got one: i jus got a new tattoo its a heart on each one of my wrists. i have had it for about a week and the whole thing is still scabbed over on each wrist, u cant even see the actual tattoo so what should i do? o and i have been takin care of it like im supposed to.

ok so i dont know who else to ask but i juss got my tattoo and when i woke up the next morning it was a bit swollen and red but by the end of th night the redness and swelling has increased does anyone know if this is infected or not and what should i keep putting on it because the artist that did it said put preparation H on it and some sea salt foan called H2ocean can anyone help??please

sounds like a possible allergic reaction(the little bumps) what type of aftercare have u been doing? xoxoxo tiffany strangeland body mod and tattoos lakeland square mall

Try using Fragrance Free SARNA sensitive skin lotion. I had a problem with bumps around my tattoo a few days after it was on that just wouldn't go away. After 3 weeks I switch to SARNA because it also has Pramoxine Hydrochloride 1% in it. Guess what, it worked and after just 3 days of using SARNA the bumps were gone. I figured I must have been alergic to the Fragrance Free Curell I was using. If you have Eczema problems (as I do) then this might be the trick for you. It worked very well for me!

OK so i am 17 just a normal girl who had a spur of the momment idea with her friend sitting in our art class, "hey how u give me a tattoo at lunch" , and i was stupid enough to get the letter of my kindda x boyfriends name tattooed on my left ankle. Home done with a safety pin and clerography ink. its been 3 days and it is kinda red outlining the M. and i have been washington about 2 a day and putting Aleo on it. it doesn't really itch, but its kinda feels scabby . is this normal? how long does it take till its not scabby and it feels like your normal skin?

As valuable a resource as the internet is, if you think something is going on with your tattoo, GO ASK YOUR ARTIST. Or walk into a shop and ask someone else's artist. Seriously.

Ok....I did a lot of stupid things when I was 17. I'm not going to lecture cuz you're not going to listen. In this case do not go to the artist on a needle point ink drop tattoo....Use an antibacterial soap and wash it 3-4 times a day. Use a bandage(I mean Gauze) wrapped around it with neosporin inside. Change the bandage when you wash it with antibacterial soap. Stay away from lotions that have aloe and vera(they'll extract the ink) in it... If the pain is there for a week or more, or you see any pus (yellowish-green type shit, generally oozing from under the scab) you should see a doctor. You may need antibiotics or at least a skin cream prescription at that point. Then when you turn 18 get a good coverup. Those types of tattoos always turn out terrible...unless the artist spent several years in prison perfecting it! Good Luck!!!

I got a little red heart on the outside of my ankle. It is my first colored tattoo and first one to give me a problem. I have cleaned it properly but my ankle it swollen, and the area is tender and red. The color keeps bleeding on my socks as well. I believe I have an infection, but the sucky part is that Im currently studying abroad in Italy so I cant easily go to the doctor. I will be back in the states in 3 weeks, is there ANYTHING i can do before trying to go the ER???

When exactly did you get the tattoo done? Is there puss involved? How are you treating the area? Was the tattoo shop clean and professional?

Oops! I meant "pus", not "puss", Sorry I guess my minds was somewhere else!

I have been letting it air dry and just washing it a couple times a day with soap. The redness and swollen(ness) has calmed down. However it is very dry and a white outline of what seems to be dry skin is forming around the edges where it is black outline. The place where I got it done was clean, I think it just got really irritated from walking so much with boots on and I put vaseline on it which I am sure irritated it more. Should I be doing anything else to it or just wait till it heals completely?

oh and I got it done exactly 9 days ago

9 Days ago! OK, everything is normal. I advise A & D ointment for treatment for the first week. In your case the location may still cause irritation, so you may want to use that a bit longer if the area is still being rubbed by shoes.It sounds like it's healing fine, make sure you keep applying lotion to the area (STAY AWAY FROM LOTIONS WITH ALOE VERA, although it has good healing properties for wounds, it has been known to extract ink...usually on fresh tattoos, or wounds over an existing tattoo, it's fine after it heals). A tattoo takes longer to heal than most people realize, especially if the artist has a heavy hand. It should be looking good when everything settles. Don't worry!

Thanks so much. I really do appreciate it!

Actually is Bapanthen okay to use instead of A & D?

"Bepanthen", I've heard other people that use that for their tattoos, but I don't recommend it because a lot of people are allergic to the paraffinum liquidum(which is mineral oil), and mineral oil can close or clog up the pores. A & D ointment isn't perfect but nothing is perfect. It does have vitamin a & d in it, and I have had a lot of good feedback with it as well. It's up to you! Good luck!

I just got a tattoo on my hip and i have a lot of little red bumps too. I called my tattoo artist and he looked at it. It was the ointment i was using, i guess i had an allergic reaction to A & D. but anyways, he said to take benedryl and just use soap and water. Let it heal on its own.

I just got 2 tattoos last Friday. A nautical star on each side alittle lower than my hip bones. I did everything that I was suppose to do...and I just switched from the A&D ointment to frag free Eucerin lotion yesterday. I woke up this morning and have little red pimples around the tattoos, but not on them. They do not itch or hurt in any way...I am not sure what is wrong? I did use alot of the ointment to keep it moist since it had to be covered while at work. Could that be the cause? Or could I be allergic to the lotion?? Please help!!!

Yes it could be either. You answered your own question. Don't apply so much....and what type of A & D ointment were you using before you switched? Check the ingredients guys, make sure there is no fragrance or anything you may be allergic to! A & D has multiple products!! A & D stands for vitamins a & d.... This is most commonly used for baby diaper rash (if your skin is more sensitive then a baby's butt...then use their hypoallergenic line). Your Mother may know what your ass was allergic to, ask her if you don't seem to know!

I don't understand why I didn't break out sooner...I understand that I could be allergic to one of the ingredients, but wouldn't the rash have shown up sooner. I have been using it for a week and nothing happened until I stopped using it yesterday and switched to the lotion. Would it hurt the tattoo to start using Lubriderm instead?? Just to see if it is the lotion that is irritating it...Also, can anyone recommend a way for me to clear the rash without harming the tats??

I don't understand why I didn't break out sooner...I understand that I could be allergic to one of the ingredients, but wouldn't the rash have shown up sooner. I have been using it for a week and nothing happened until I stopped using it yesterday and switched to the lotion. Would it hurt the tattoo to start using Lubriderm instead?? Just to see if it is the lotion that is irritating it...Also, can anyone recommend a way for me to clear the rash without harming the tats??

How bad does the area itch? Is it red? Is it warm? Was the area shaved before it was tattooed? How much is a lot of A & D ointment? Is it sensitive to touch? Check the ingredients in the lubriderm, most of them have fragrance! DON'T apply more lubriderm to the same area! Apply it to a different area to see if youre skin reacts. You may have clogged the pores, or slight allergic reaction. Try some unscented dove soap and warm water...and no lotion, or look for a hypoallergenic lotion recommended by your artist or pharmacist.

I have the same red pimple like bumps in the surrounding area of my tattoo. Its been four days since I've gotten the tattoo on my forearm. I've had 6 tattoo sessions on various parts of my body in the past 5 months or so. These bumps have appeared 4 of the 6 times. I've tried changing my healing procedures whenever the breakouts appear. But there doesn't seem to any consistency since the next session I do the exact same thing but the breakout appears. My question is if these seem to be allergic reactions then why don't they happens without a fresh tattoo present? I mean I've never had allergic reactions to anything ever. Also the bumps appear in spots where no shaving took place or any product is applied.

I used a lot of the ointment for the first week. By alot, I mean that I did not rub it in...I put it on pretty thick and then bandaged it while I was at work. I know the bandage would rub some of it off, so I kept a lot on it, so that it would stay moist. I also would apply it almost every few hours. I stopped using the lotion and went back to the A & D...the little bumps are still there, but they look like they are healing now. The area was already shaved before the tattoo was done...and I was told not to shave right where the tattoo is for at least another week, so I haven't.

I agree. Sounds like an allergic reaction from the ink that's causing granulomas around the area, this is very common with tattoos. It may be inconsistent for many reasons. Some area's of skin are more sensitive to differnet colored inks, different ink brands, etc. I wouldn't worry unless the bumps grow to nodules.

One week ago, i got a blue puzzle outlined in black on my left wrist at my sisters in delaware. I have been using A&D ointment on it 2 to 3 times a day. It has been swollen and parts of it are red on the black outline and i have 2 places inside the puzzle piece that are bumps and were ozzing pus yesterday. Today iti s all dried out and not as red. Do u think it is getting better or should i use something else on it?

Go to a doctor if there is pus!

I just got my third tattoo!! On Monday we did the outline and then I went back Tuesday to finish it up. It pretty much takes up my entire right calf. Wednesday it was a little sore and red and later in the evening it was hard to walk sometimes. Today (Thursday) I am keeping it elevated and moisturizing with A & D, but it is ten times more painful to walk, once I get going I'm fine but those first few steps are killer!! There are a few places that have a thin light yellowish pus that is coming out (not bad but enough for me to notice!!) I have taken Ibuprofen 600 and it's not really helping with the pain. Not one of my tats hurt this bad and my last one the guy freakin butchered my back!! PLease let me know how long I can expect this pain to last or do you think I should go see someone about it (because of the pus thing)?

I just got my third tattoo!! On Monday we did the outline and then I went back Tuesday to finish it up. It pretty much takes up my entire right calf. Wednesday it was a little sore and red and later in the evening it was hard to walk sometimes. Today (Thursday) I am keeping it elevated and moisturizing with A & D, but it is ten times more painful to walk, once I get going I'm fine but those first few steps are killer!! There are a few places that have a thin light yellowish pus that is coming out (not bad but enough for me to notice!!) I have taken Ibuprofen 600 and it's not really helping with the pain. Not one of my tats hurt this bad and my last one the guy freakin butchered my back!! PLease let me know how long I can expect this pain to last or do you think I should go see someone about it (because of the pus thing)?

You mentioned using A & D ointment to moisturize the tattoo, but how are you cleaning it, how often, and with what? Pus is a bad sign but may not be that bad. I usually tell people to go to the doctor if they are cleaning it, but you mentioned nothing of cleaning!

When I got it the artist told me to go home and scrub it one good time because that would be the last time I could for a long time. When I was done none of the stores except one was open (2:00 am) so I had to get vaseline for the first day, then A & D since. I know that's bad. I went home after work yesterday and gently washed it with soap and water using only my hand and applied the A & D, and also used the same process this morning in the shower. Should I be cleaning it more often? Do you think I should let it dry out a little? Since I got it I have been keeping it moist constantly.

Yes you should be washing it....you don't need to scrub it, but you should wash it 3-4 times a day with anti-bacterial soap. Don't saturate the tattoo with the A & D ointment. Small amount should be enough. Did you bleed a lot during the tattoo? Is there large scabs? The tattoo should have time to breathe. It's part of the healing process. Hit up the pharmacy for some anti bacterial ointment as well (generic will be fine). If the pus progresses contact a doctor.

ok i just bought a tattoo kit and i decided to practice on my self, it's my first tattoo i did it may 1st every thing was new sterilized after i was done doing it i cleaned the area good and applied a thin layer of Neosporin a couple of days past i cleaned every day with Anti-bacterial soap 2-3 times a day yesterday i noticed a lil red around the tattoo so i stoped the Neosporin and i got some A and D and the area still red. is it normal it's been 5 days ? can any one tell me what should i do or use?

Hi there, I got my first tattoo on Sunday (it's now Friday) on the top of my foot. Being my first tattoo, i'm not 100% sure what to expect (ie. what's normal). It's still a bit swollen and red around it and it's completely scabbed over (so much that you can barely notice the flower is pink). I am following the instructions exactly as the tattoo place gave me: left the bandage on for 12 hours, washed it with unscented Ivory for 15 mins the day after (when I took the bandage off), have been quickly washing it with the unscented Ivory each day, and applying unscented Lubriderm twice/day (started this on Wednesday). I have been wearing sandals every day so it's drying out. Wednesday night it was so swollen, red and sore that I could barely walk on it, and it appears that every time I put the Lubriderm on it, it feels worse and gets more red and swollen. Is it infected? Should I be using some kind of different lotion? I'm scared it's not going to heal nicely and i'm going to lose the colour.....Thanks!

I was wondering what the best way to take care of a tattoo is. I have 7 tattoo's and i'm not kidding every time I am told a different way. I have noticed that you say to wash it 3-4 times a day. When I have been told only wash it after you take the banages off and don't get it wet at all again till it heals. I cannot remember ever having a problem with any of my other tattoo's healing. But I got the inside of my left wrist done 2 days ago and it is still red and sore. I can't remember my other wrist hurting like this. I don't think it is infected but should I wash it more to avoid infection? Or is the wrist a vunerable place?

I don't understand why there are so many infected tattoo's! Aren't the artist's telling you how to care for your tattoo? I just another one done 12 days ago and I washed it 2-3 times a day lightly patted it dry and applied a small amount of Lubriderm non scented to the area. Just enough to keep it lightly soft. My flaking always comes off within 3 days but I still continue to wash it gently and apply lotion for at least 2 weeks and after that I always apply lotion to my tattoos. I also make sure that when I'm in the sun, that I apply sunscreen and lots of it to all of my tattoos. Common Sense?! Or not?!

So I got my 6th tattoo almost a week ago. The first session of it was two weeks ago and I noticed pimple like bumps near the area of the tattoo, but it seemed to clear up before I got the next session a week later on my other shoulder. However, 2 days after the 2nd part the bumps appeared again, but not just around the tattoo.. on my whole back. They are itchy and some of them have white heads. After the first session I was super careful not to use to much A&D, as I thought that might be the problem. Then I was using Nivea, and switched to Curel, but still have the bumps. Im assuming maybe it is an allergic reaction to something? I have had many tattoos so I know I am doing proper healing techniques. There is red and yellow in the tattoo, but mostly black, white and gray. Could it be what he wiped me with, or the witch hazel or latex? I have never had a reaction to any of my other tattoos. here is what it looks like, but on my whole back.. the actual tattoo looks fine though. no swelling or redness. [IMG]http://i31.tinypic.com/2nu3bsx.jpg[/IMG]

oops, here is the link to the pic. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2nu3bsx&s=3 thanks for your help!

oops, here is the link to the pic. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2nu3bsx&s=3 thanks for your help!

oops, here is the link to the pic. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2nu3bsx&s=3 thanks for your help!

Okay, I give up. I recently got a tattoo that I'm extremely happy with by some artists from Yogyakarta (it was a collaboration). Since information is so easy to access on the net these days, I thought I'd do a bit of trawling regarding aftercare. Here's my findings: 1) The world (assuming the web is representative of it) is crawling with developmentally disabled people who allow a complete stranger to mark them for life BEFORE making any effort whatsoever to find out how to make sure the marks they're going to have forever stay good marks; and 2) The world is equally full of conflicting information from tattoo artists, who go online to make comments like: "I don't understand how ANYONE could let their tattoo get infected when all they have to do is follow the advice of their artist.", and then proceed to give detailed advice that is the complete opposite of the equally professional tattoo artist who made roughly the same comment three posts earlier! I dunno, maybe I should just use clingfilm and vaseline for my next tatt. Ity worked okay for my grandpappy's blue anchor. Or is it a dolphin???

ok so i got a tattoo 4 days ago, it's located on my left side. it's a quote(it takes up almost half of my side) on the first day i followed my tattoo artists instructions.. on the second day i washed it with soup 2 times a day and applied A&D.. this morning i woke up and it began to itch and little itchy bumps appeared.. they don't really look like pimples, and they aren't on my tattoo they are in between the words. i took a shower today and black ink started coming off.. i'm really confused why? it is now begging to scab a little bit.. i don't want to fuck up my tattoo does anyone have any advice that actually works? for now i'm just going to wash it with soup and not add any kind of bs because i don't want it to fade.. it took 2 hours to do and i don't want to have to get it re-touched already, shit is painful especially for a slim girl like myself.

I had a sleve design done, over 2 sessions. the first session resulted in 2 large boil appearing on the tattoo. ..i went back weeks later to get it completed, and the tattoo artsist said it was a allergic reaction to the bapathan cream. for the 2nd stage of the tattoo I didnt use the cream.... 1 week after I got it, I got a small pimple under my arm, not on the tattoo. over night, it grew and filled with pus, to about 5cm with no head...... I also got 3 new pimples / boils from the new tattoo . I have applied magnoplasm to draw it out, but think I will have to go to the dr.s for antibotics, as the infection is still ocuring on the skin, on the previous boils. just a heads up...I went to advanced body tattoo on st.george st in fitzroy, melboune..... my advise .... dont get tattoos from dodgy F*ckers

I just got a tattoo on my inner lower leg last Thursday... Today is Tuesday and my tat is still painful and red. I have a little bit of swelling and now it looks as f i have a hole in my tat where i can see under my skin under my tat. Understand? well, areas of my tat color look bubbled and all this started after i applied A&D on it cuz it was severely dried up.... I stopped putting the A&D on it but now its painful to walk or flex my leg. is it infected or what? if it helps its a tattoo of a butterfly open winged, 1 wing is of the american flag the other of the puerto rico flag. wing height is about 3 inches. Not sure if location of tat is more app to heal longer or what....

****To Timebombmae*** I have the same problem; only my tattoo is on my foot...mine has a hole in it....GO TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!! Just today I was put on an antibiotic. Mine is very red around it, and last week, it was very painful to walk/apply pressure to my foot. My tat never became bubbled, but after a few days, i noticed a very light yellow colored liquid (pus) coming out of the hole. ...the hole formed about a week after I got it done. GO TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!...do not make an appointment to meet with your doctor in a few days....go to the ER or a walk in clinic. If you wait around...it's going to get worse, and you could risk having your leg amputated.

i have the same exact problem. i just got 211 tattooed on the inside of my forearm , and that was almost 2 weeks ago. red bumps started popping up out of no where and they itch super bad. i dont know what to do. i cant go to the doctors due to lack of health insurance , and the person that did my tattoo is professional but doesnt work at a shop. i need some help on what to do.

i got my rib cage tattoo'd roughly three months ago .. its any irish clover with lines on the outisde of it ... in the white of the irish clover is has three beige spots in it that are occasionally itchy... i was just curious if this is a sign of infection?

I recently got a larger piece from my side down to my thigh... The next day I was starting to feel very ill and nauseous. Now I have red bumps (some look puss filled) around the perimeter of my tat and a couple on my legs. They do itch and some hurt when I scratch. Its slowly clearing up but still makes me nervous. I have a 6 tats and this is the only time its happened. I always follow my artists instructions for care, but I was reluctant to use a and d because I'm allergic to everything and never tried it. I think I was having a reaction. Now I'm cleaning it as usual and using unscented lubriderm. wish me luck.

So I got a beautful tattoo on one half of my back between two sessions on Wednesday and Friday of last week. I got it from the same reputable and talented artist who has done all of my other tattoos, he has more that 20 years experience, uses a new out-of-the-package needle each time, gloves, and he is very sanitary. He knows what he's doing, and all of the other work he has done for me (4 pieces in various locations) has healed beautifully. That said, I'm a little worried that the very bottom of my new tattoo, which lies about at my beltline, is infected. There is no white or foul-smelling pus or anything, but almost 3 days out from the Friday session it is still leaking what appears to be lymph in the little 2 inch spot that was most worked/shaded. It is also pink and a bit warm, whereas the top of the piece (on my shoulder) is not. Mostly it just hurts, I would say even more than when I got my foot done . . . and that fucking hurt. My main concern is that I cannot seem to get this one spot to just dry up and scab over like the rest of the tat has . . . I've woken stuck to my bedsheets over and over and I've tried sitting in front of a fan to just get the fluid to dry-- which works until I move, or sit, stretching the skin at all, and then it seems to start all over again. I have been washing it with hypoallergenic barsoap, warm water and my (well-sanitized) hand a few times a day, and while I've been putting a light coat of vitamin E ointment on the upper parts, which are now all nice and flakey like good tattoo should be at this point, I am reticent to put any on this problem area unless it dries out. This area doesn't seem to be spreading, but it is awfully sore and pinchy (result of infection? sentitive spot, beltline?), and as I said is just looks, I dunno, sort of shiney and atypical in this one area, even when I can get it dry for a while with air blowing on it. I should also mention that the day after my second session I came down with a whopper of a cold/sore throat, I'm quite certain that this was not a result of the tattoo, probably just unfortunate happenstance since I am always around a lot of people, and after taking some Zicam, soup and a day of lying about in bed (with my shirt off to let the air let at my tattoo) I'm feeling much better. Could just having come down with this have effected my body's ability to heal effectively? Does it seem likely that this is an infection? Have you seen this sort of thing before? I already have medical bills up to the ceiling from an accident earlier this year, so I figured that I'd put this to a panel of experts before having to fork over hundreds of dollars for some douchebag intern to prescribe me amoxicyllin. I have a pic I can email, though the quality is not excellent. Thanks, KC

alright so i recently had got a Tattoo about 3 days ago now its 2 cherries on my hip and I've noticed that in the cherries where my tattoo artist colored in the red its like a open wound like i can actually see my flesh . i dont know if i shud b freaked but i trying not to be until i figure out if it actually infected. everythinq else about the tattoo seems find except 4 inside the cherries . any thoughts on this ??

Okay so it's not so much a problem with my tatto, because I'm pretty sure it's healing well. Its the area around the tattoo that I'm worried about (and since it's my first tattoo, im not really sure if this is normal) I used A&D (origional) for three days (applied it when i woke up, before i went to work, and before i went to sleep) and everything was fine, on the fourth day i wanted to make sure that my lotion (uncented lubriderm with sea kelp) wouldn't burn my skin (because im always really weary about it from a bad previous experience with a burn lol) and it kind of hurt a little so i used the A&D for an extra day. When i woke up the next day i had little itty bitty red bumps that look like zits on my back and they itch like crazy, in a 2inch perimeter around my tattoo. (I don't normally have zits on my back to start with) and the worst part about it is i couldnt sleep because they itched so bad so finally i gave in and scratched them (i hope it won't do harm to my tattoo, but i figure i should be fine if im not actually scratching the tattoo or stretching the skin) I'm pretty sure that it has to do something with my lotion, but the funny thing is that when i apply the lotion, the itchyness goes away. I'm going to quit using the lotion, but i don't know which one to switch to, or if it's okay to just not use lotion. (I don't want any of my color to fade because it's so beautiful) A few extra things are that my tattoo is pink, blue, and green, with a black outline. reply to me @ [email removed] But either way, i plan on making a visit the the tattoo shop tomorrow or the next day if the bumps don't clear up, cause they prolly know alot more about allergic reations and stuff like that.

Little red bumps / 'pimples' / boils spreading are a direct sign of a staph infection. Go see a doctor immediately and get on some anti-biotics to stop the infection before it gets worse (i.e. MSRA).

Hey, thanks for all the info. I read this whole page up and down. I recently decided to try to learn tattoo, and rather than practice on someone else, I did it on myself. Got little red bumps about 2 days later, but I have been putting A&D on twice a day, so I have a goood feeling, that's why. Also, I doubt it is infected. Real tattoo gun. Sterile brand new needles, tubes. Never recycled the ink. But this whole page taught me a lot. Thank you very much.

i just got 2 nautical stars on my shoulders on saturday night. they are right where my bras straps are. they hurt like hell! They arent scabbing over or itchy, just a bit red and irritated. I started freaking out thinking they were infected, but ya think it could just be the fact my clothes are rubbing against it and the collarbones are sensitive anyway? the stars i just got are numbers 12 & 13. last tat i got was almost 3 years ago, so i forget wtf its like.

Ok on my 18th bday I decided to get a tattoo...about 2 or 3 weeks later...I find these huge swollen puss filled bumps surroundin my tattoo...none directly on it...I used to have bad acne on my back so I figured it was just pimples from all of the neosporin I was puttin on my back to moistirize it...but that doesn't explain the thick lookin puss comin out of it...I also have asthma and exema...and its spring time and I'm allergic to pollen...could this have anything to do with it?? My mom thinks its infitigo or somethin...please help!

Ok on my 18th bday I decided to get a tattoo...about 2 or 3 weeks later...I find these huge swollen puss filled bumps surroundin my tattoo...none directly on it...I used to have bad acne on my back so I figured it was just pimples from all of the neosporin I was puttin on my back to moistirize it...but that doesn't explain the thick lookin puss comin out of it...I also have asthma and exema...and its spring time and I'm allergic to pollen...could this have anything to do with it?? My mom thinks its infitigo or somethin...please help!

Ok on my 18th bday I decided to get a tattoo...about 2 or 3 weeks later...I find these huge swollen puss filled bumps surroundin my tattoo...none directly on it...I used to have bad acne on my back so I figured it was just pimples from all of the neosporin I was puttin on my back to moistirize it...but that doesn't explain the thick lookin puss comin out of it...I also have asthma and exema...and its spring time and I'm allergic to pollen...could this have anything to do with it?? My mom thinks its infitigo or somethin...please help!

I recetly got a tattoo done like a week ago exactly on my left ankle. And on my right side. So the one i got on my ankle got really i mean really red kinda purple and very very swollen. I couyldnt even walk on it. it was swollen all the way from my calf to my foot. and my tattoo looked like you had melted plastic on it with a design. what do you think this is? I took care of it like i did all my other tattoos. And nothing like this has ever happend to me. could I be allergic to the ink color? Oh and the one i got on my side well only a little portion of it got infected. it was turning green.

So I think I may have screwed up my new tat. My artist did go over the care instructions, but did not tell me what NOT to use or explain what needed to happen during the healing process. I've been using Neosporin for starters, and using way too much of it. Now I'm searching for tips online to hopefully save it. It may be getting infected, and the part where it's just solid coloring has stuff trying to peel but the skin underneath looks like an open wound... I can't see the color which is solid purple. Will there be color there when it's all said and done, and is it ok to do a quick rinse with warm salt water to clean out any infection that may be there? Any advise is great if I haven't completely ruined it already. By the way it's 8 days old.

So I think I may have screwed up my new tat. My artist did go over the care instructions, but did not tell me what NOT to use or explain what needed to happen during the healing process. I've been using Neosporin for starters, and using way too much of it. Now I'm searching for tips online to hopefully save it. It may be getting infected, and the part where it's just solid coloring has stuff trying to peel but the skin underneath looks like an open wound... I can't see the color which is solid purple. Will there be color there when it's all said and done, and is it ok to do a quick rinse with warm salt water to clean out any infection that may be there? Any advise is great if I haven't completely ruined it already. By the way it's 8 days old.

Iv also had small pimple like, sometimes itchy bumps on my tat. Its a half-sleeve, but they are only around the tat, not on it. Im pretty sure its only from from the A&D ointment.

i got the same thing 3 weeks ago i got a tatto done on ma leg in 2 days after it started to ich i took a shower the day after. and ever since i have a type of rash on ma leg and its bumpy and i feel like its getting wotrst it kind of hurts wen i prest on it i need help knowing wat it is i went to the clinic were i work at the doc said it was siphiylis and a nother doctor at plant parent hood said it cant be that cuz thats sexualy transmited only and that it might be an infection or celilitis n my primary dr. said it might be a fungus reaction what do i belive !!!!!!!!!!

It's been about 3 weeks since I got my tattoo. About a week after I got it, I started having large, red very itchy bumps almost like bug bites appear around it. At first I thought I was being bitten by something but they're only around the tattoo. I don't know what they are and they're starting to scare me because new ones keep appearing. They weep a clearish fluid from them as well. When I leave them alone, the area will get flaky and scaly but when I flake the dead skin off, it's very red underneath with new bumps on it. What could this be and how do I finally get rid of it?

It's been about 3 weeks since I got my tattoo. About a week after I got it, I started having large, red very itchy bumps almost like bug bites appear around it. At first I thought I was being bitten by something but they're only around the tattoo. I don't know what they are and they're starting to scare me because new ones keep appearing. They weep a clearish fluid from them as well. When I leave them alone, the area will get flaky and scaly but when I flake the dead skin off, it's very red underneath with new bumps on it. What could this be and how do I finally get rid of it?

i just got a color ink tattoo Saturday night on my inner bicep and it's been healing pretty well. today is the 5th day i've had it and the peeling has almost finished up. but i noticed yesterday that the skin around my tattoo on my arm was getting a little red and bumpy. some little pimple-like bumps popped up and haven't been going away. i'm not sure if they itch or the tattoo itches, because i've heard tats get itchy during peeling. i haven't been scratching them. they might be due to me putting too much lubriderm on my tat and surrounding area. maybe the pores are stuffed up? i've been cleaning it everyday with mild soap and not putting so much lotion. dunno when it'll go away.. should i switch to a different lotion? thanks!