Tattoo Problems Information & Treatment (2024)

Do you have a problem with a tattoo?

How old are you?

Are you male or female?

This is more likely if you have had a bad reaction to something in the past.

Are there any hives?

Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin. They usually have red borders and pale centers. They may seem to move from place to place on the skin.

Did the hives appear within the past 3 hours?

Do you think you may have a fever?

Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it?

Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area?

"Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps.

Is there any swelling near the tattoo?

Is the swelling severe and rapid?

Severe swelling may cut off blood flow and make the area below the tattoo cool or painful.

Is the swelling over a joint, such as the ankle, elbow, or hip?

Has swelling lasted for more than 2 days?

Have you had problems with the tattoo for more than 2 weeks?

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

• Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
• Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
• Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
• Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
• Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

Symptoms of infection may include:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
• Red streaks leading from the area.
• Pus draining from the area.
• A fever.

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:

• Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
• Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
• Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
• Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
• Medicines taken after organ transplant.
• Not having a spleen.

Usually found in dirt and soil, tetanus bacteria typically enter the body through a wound. Wounds may include a bite, a cut, a puncture, a burn, a scrape, insect bites, or any injury that may cause broken skin.

You may need a tetanus shot depending on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot.

• For a dirty wound that has things like dirt, saliva, or feces in it, you may need a shot if:
  • You haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years.
  • You don't know when your last shot was.
• For a clean wound, you may need a shot if:
  • You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years.
  • You don't know when your last shot was.

If proper technique and clean instruments are not used, there is a chance of getting an infectious disease when you get a tattoo or body piercing.

Symptoms of an infectious illness may include:

• An overall feeling of tiredness and lack of energy.
• Dark urine or light-colored stool.
• A new yellow tint to the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• Muscle or joint pain that lasts a long time.
• Belly pain.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:

• The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives) all over the body.
• Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
• Trouble breathing.
• Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.

A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe.

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.