Question for Taz, Doc, or anyone knowledgeable

So, I'm not exactly excited to be posting this, but I'm curious as to if anyone else has experienced this... and before you say go to the doctor -- got it covered, I've an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. So on to the question: My lil giraffe tattoo, my pride and joy, has turned against me. Or my skin has turned against me. I'm not sure which. No work has been done to the tattoo in over a year (lack of funds & time can do that). I've noticed in the past that when it's extremely hot or if I've a fever, areas of the tattoo would raise. I wasn't concerned. Bob and I noticed I had a reaction to certain red inks -- they pushed themselves out and we tested other types of red inks and for the most part there were no problems. But now, the tattoo has begun to do more than just 'raise'. It's actually.. become a bit of a pain. Literally. My blue cloulds and purple mountains have started to blister in areas. I say blister, but I'm not sure that's accurate -- they look like blood blisters. I try to avoid aggravating them, but if the purse strap touches them, or a shirt/bra strap touches them -- they bleed profusely. They don't scab either, but instead just form a new blister -- and you can see that the area surrounding the blister has less color/vibrance. I've heard of reactions to ink. I've had reactions to ink, but nothing like this. And I'm not sure what I did to provoke it. I don't have this problem with the star on my belly -- and that is very teal. I'm worried. Any ideas on what I did to cause this? Or how I can get it to stop/heal? Tried researching it on the web, but can't seem to find anything.

Bee, while I do know and have heard of tattoos reacting to the heat and/or sunlight, I have never heard of a reaction such as you described. I am truly sorry not to be able to help but I might suggest possibly putting hydrocortisone on it (spot test it) and DO get to the doctor, hopefully a knowledgeable one, of course. And, PLEASE, keep us informed as I, for one, certainly would like to know the reason/what's going on and know I can't be the only one. Anyone else heard of a reaction like this, kindly post your info...Doc

Bee dear I can't really tell you anything until I see the tattoo...send me a GOOD CLEAR pic then I can advise you...in the mean time I would sugest a product called "Scalpicin"...it is a water based solution of sterile distilled water and Hydrocortisone...you can get it at Walmart , Kmart etc...it is made for excema, dermatitis etc but seems to work wonders on this type pf problem...it can't hurt and it may help tremendously!! Try that first and expect results in 2 days then call me in the morning!!!!....TAz

TAz, Will try to get you a pic tonight or tomorrow. Need someone to take it for me as I'm not as handy with the camera. Art is on my right arm, and I'm not a lefty -- so it kept coming out blurry (shaky hands) when I tried to take pics of it the other day. Silly me was hoping this was just weird acne (til it started blistering up)! Thanks again Doc & TAz -- will try both of your suggestions til I talk to the doc tomorrow.

A bit more..."angel eyes" also posted about this problem at least I think it could be related...scroll down and look for "my tattoo has bumps now with pics"or something like that!!!... And Scalpicin is always located in the Dandruff shampoo section!!

seems similar (the bumps thread) just... different at the same time. that makes no sense i know. but we'll see i guess. in the mean time i'm going to try to keep my arm covered, clean it (might switch back to my black cat tattoo soaps), and stay outta the heat/sun the best that i can. oh - and get the scalpicin -- good thing you told me the aisle, i would've been looking around forever for that. this is probably bad, but i cleaned it with peroxide this morning, a bit worried about infection since these don't scab. ha i feel like this lil body is falling apart.. or that i've a flesh-eating disease! ;) (yummy that's attractive)

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No peroxide!!!!!! Just use the scalpicin kid...that stuff can work WONDERS!!!!

I agree with the scalpicin. I had one hell of an allergic reaction to the stuff in Black hair dye quite a few years ago. That stuff works wonders. Maybe you have developed an allergic reaction to the ink? Maybe because you are pregnant, and your chemical balance is changing, something is reacting to the tattoo? Maybe its just impetigo? Sounds very similar. If it -is- impetigo, it's completely curable. Definately get thee to a doctor! Better safe than sorry!

Bee, I had a hell of a time with some light blue ink for weeks after a session........................in the areas surrounding the achilles tendon on each foot. About 4 days after the work, the ink became mottled, and painful reddish purple bumps began to come up from under, and began to seep clear liquid, which didn't stop for another two weeks after. It's been months now, and the areas of ink are still raised up, and I've noticed that rubbing from the straps of certain sandals cause a lot of irritation on them, whereas there were no problems before the tattooing. The pink was even worse, forming nasty open sores about a week after application. These didn't close for nearly a month, and look badly scarred. Of course, in my case, it may not be just the ink..... TCE

thanks everyone! sorry about the peroxide taz! it just was looking gross this morning, seemed a good idea at the time, but i know better now. i will ask my doc about that condition, i looked it up, gotta be honest - i hope it's not that. doesn't look very similar at least. :) tce - i've heard of that happen.. i guess what got me so nervous (other than the blood/tenderness) is the fact that i've had the tattoo over a year so i couldn't figure out why i'd be reacting now. although the pregnancy is a good theory. i will find out tomorrow afternoon! and if the doc can't tell me i'm taking full advantage of my medical insurance and finding a dermatologist!! i can see where new spots are forming, and the lil control freak in me is spazzing out!

Bee, I don't have any info to tell you, just good luck and I hope it all works out...doesn't sound pleasant. Dana

Isn't it scary when things like that happen?! I just went to my tattoo artist today. I told him about the problem I had ( Yes! HAD!!! It's all gone now...thankya Jesus!) and he and another tat artist thought maybe I was allergic to the ointment they gave me after he did my tat. The one guy says he can only put on the unscented lotion (ie: Vaseline advanced lotion). So hopefully that was it. I go back August 9th to get the tat finished so wish me LUCK! And good luck with you too Bee!

hey bee I dont think your condition is related to your tattoo, not after all this time, if it were, a case of acne in the area, or just raised when in the sun, I would say yes it is from your work, however, being that it is blistering, and bleeding, I would say it is something else, the thing that puzzles me is that, only the tattoo is bleeding......very strange. follow Taz's advice, and of course see your doctor tomorrow.....and please let us know the results, I am very interested to know. good luck, take care. Mortis

Just do your best to try the Scalpicin...That shit is a wonder drug and it can't hurt ya!!!

welp. tried the scalpicin -- definately helped with the tenderness. i can say now that i don't think it has anything to do with my tattoo -- it's spread (pretty significantly). i guess the starting point just happened to be on my tattoo. i'm half tempted to go up to the doc's this very minute, but my appt isn't for another 2 hours. either way -- as soon as i know what it is, i'll post a follow up here. now i really feel like i've leprosy or a flesh eating disease. :( [::frustrated::]

bee you are pregnant go to the doctors RIGHT NOW its spreading and involves blood you share alot with the wee one make sure this is not something dangerous to share with her mrs.ripley

Bee, I hope everything works out well for you.

Damn right as I said the meds were just a palliative for last night that couldn't do damage and she did say she had an appointment today.....I agree 100% if there is a baby on board ya can't be too careful...Bee you let us know whats up!!!...We care!!!...TAz

WOW! what a fun doctor's appt!!!! ;) ok simple diagnosis: Staph infection not sure how i got it, but they think it has something to do with the stomach flu i've been fighting as well. i'll be on some antibiotics, some antibiotic creams, and also something called silvadene cream more in depth diagnosis: folliculitis and impetigo as a result of the staph infection. plus.. something else that i forget what it's called but that was where the fun came in. apparently the infection wreaked so much havoc that actual lil blood vessels had pushed themselves to the surface -- thus the riduculous blood gushes. i was sent to a dermatologist for that -- who literally burned those spots. they told me to expect scarring not only from the burning but also from the folliculitis. so. i'm going to have a polka-dot tattoo on the plus side -- it's not caused or related to the tattoo. and it's not a flesh eating disease like i feared. it's just a gross infection. woooooooooooooooooeee. thanks again for everyone's advice & help!

Bee, Well, thank goodness for no flesh eating virus.... But damn girl that sucks a lot.... Hang in there darlin. ;) ....J

Well good news and bad Bee...Dammit! I hate it when bad things happen to good people...but I guess thats just life huh?....Anything I can do ya got my addy kiddo!!! Take yer meds and take care of you and baby!!!...TAz

I was right about something?! Woot! My son, when he was a baby, came down with Impetigo. Thats the only reason why I thought it sounded familiar, especially if it spread. Did they give you some topical cream for it at all?

yes ma'am they did. it's an erythrymyicin (i'm sure i'm spelling that wrong) cream, i'm waiting for the pharmacy to call so i can go get it & the pills (also erythrymyicin based). also a silvadene cream for the spots we had to burn. i'm glad i know what it is now, but i'm still kinda (very) cranky about the location... i'd have rather this had been on my face then on my giraffes! they said it should take 2-3 weeks to clear up completely, and that's worst case scenario. not too shabby

Bee, thanks for the info, though sorry to learn it this way, ya know? Never heard of anything quite like that but the 'cure' is rather conventional to the vaguely similiar 'problems' I've heard of before. Hope like heck it's nothing that could effect your baby, did they say anything about that? Hopefully, all will be okay, get the meds and use 'em, you're an intelligent woman. The silvadene cream should help minimize the scarring, it's good stuff...Doc

If it is anything like my sons was, it should start clearing up quick. I'm so glad that you are getting it taken care of, I've seen it, and believe you me, I know how terrified you must have been! Scary looking stuff, that is ;(

wow, sorry to hear the results, but at least its not too serious. hang in there and stay strong girl. Mortis

they said it shouldn't effect the baby at all so everything is ok there. :) i'm hoping for very minimal scarring (preferrably none at all). i will however probably need to get portions of this piece redone, but maybe that's the kick-in-the-ass i needed to get motivated to finish what i started! thanks again everyone!! ok. now... i'm making ice cream and pizza so i'll have to abandon ship for a bit. (ah the dinner of champions!)

Well sweetie I'll tell ya what...you get all healed up by the party time and someone here wil touch up whateever needs to be touched up...hell you are gonna be playin with some of the best in the biz and I'm sure we can fix ya right up kiddo!!!...TAz