Red Almost Pimple-like bumps around tattoo?

Okay. Last Tuesday I got my second tattoo. The first two days were normal, like my previous tattoo; irritation, soreness, etc. But after the third or forth day it stopped being painful. I kept applying A&D ointment to the tattoo twice a day (after cleaning it with a mild soap) so that it wouldn't get infected. Yet, a few days ago (now in my second week) red, almost pimple-like bumps started to form all around the tattoo. The tattoo takes up my entire thigh, so the bumps are plentiful. The tattoo itself is not swollen, inflamed, or sore. I was told that I might have had a reaction to the A&D ointment? My previous tattoo did not react like this to the A&D. I work almost every day, and my work pants are just a pair of black Dickies. I thought that maybe the combination of the ointment and smothering it with my work pants just irritated it. I talked to my artist and he told me to keep him posted and switch to Aquaphor. And, if it got worse, to go see my physician. I was wondering if anyone else has gotten this before? And do you have any home remedies? They look like white heads, and if I press down on some they do pop like zits. I kept up with the regiment of cleaning like my artist told me, so I'm unsure as to what is going on.