What autoimmune disease causes tattoos to raise?

Author: Prof. Dorcas Feil I  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Another cause for itching and swelling is an autoimmune disorder called sarcoidosis. It can show up decades after you get your tattoo. And although it's not directly caused by the ink, when it shows up in the skin, it tends to show up on the tattoo. A cream you apply to your skin should help ease your symptoms.

What autoimmune disease affects tattoos?

Psoriasis. In some cases, tattoo artists may be hesitant to work on clients who have active psoriasis, especially in an affected area of the body. People with psoriasis will want to consult with their healthcare team and consider their individual risks before getting a tattoo.

What illness is linked to tattoos?

If equipment used to create a tattoo has infected blood on it, you can get diseases that are spread through blood. Examples include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. To lower your risk, get vaccinated for hepatitis B before you get a tattoo.

Why do old tattoos get raised and itchy?

Ink contamination: It is possible for tattoo inks to be contaminated with microorganisms. 7 This can cause symptoms like itching, rash, fever, and pain. Sarcoidosis : This is an inflammatory condition that can sometimes involve the skin. Scar sarcoidosis is an uncommon manifestation that can sometimes occur in tattoos.

What are the red flags for lupus?

Common lupus signs include:
  • Sores in your mouth or nose.
  • Hair loss visible to others.
  • Rash lasting for days to weeks in areas that have been exposed to the sun.
  • Swollen or stiff joints, which may be worse in the morning.
  • Chest pain with every deep breath, lasting more than 24 hours.

Tattoos and Piercings with an Autoimmune Disease

What is sarcoidosis on a tattoo?

Tattoo-associated sarcoidosis with severe uveitis is a condition where inflammation is usually restricted to the tattooed area and the uveal region but lung involvement, including lung nodule and lymphadenopathy, is also reported. This sarcoidosis phenomenon was first published in 1969 with three case reports.

Why do tattoos raise randomly?

It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health. Many people notice the swelling happens during the summertime, when weather is warmer and humidity higher.

Why does my tattoo swell up years later?

Allergic Reactions

Some tattoo dyes, especially red and yellow, can cause an allergic reaction, especially when exposed to sunlight. The area around your tattoo might itch or swell, or you could get a rash. It can happen right after you get the tattoo, or years later.

What are a granuloma tattoo symptoms?

Granulomatous reactions

A foreign body reaction to pigment may cause raised red bumps at the site of the tattoo that are made up of epithelioid cells, lymphocytes and a few giant cells.

Is tattoo ink linked to lymphoma?

lymphoma risk varied depending on how much time had passed since getting the tattoo: within two years, lymphoma risk was 81% higher. between three and 10 years, no definite increased lymphoma risk was detected. 11 or more years after getting a tattoo, lymphoma risk was 19%

Are tattoos hard on the immune system?

The consensus is no. Some researchers have argued that tattoos may be boosting the immune system. Anthropologists from the University of Alabama likened getting tattoos to going to the gym – each workout strengthens the body.

Why do they ask if you have tattoos before surgery?

Infection can occur after tattoos and even the most well-done and safe of plastic surgery procedures. If there is any chance one procedure will affect the other, your cosmetic surgeon will guide you to the best (and safest) direction.

Is sarcoidosis an auto-immune disease?

Is sarcoidosis an autoimmune disease? Sarcoidosis does involve immune system activity, but it's not generally considered an autoimmune disease. Autoimmunity means your immune system attacks parts of your body. But researchers are continuing to study the idea that at least some cases of sarcoidosis involve autoimmunity.

Does Crohn's affect tattoos?

Crohn's disease may affect your skin. Sometimes, it can show up as conditions like eczema, erythema nodosum (red bumps), and psoriasis. Living with any of these skin conditions complicates your healing abilities after a tattoo in a few ways. First, Crohn's disease-related skin conditions can compromise your skin.

What mental illness is linked to tattoos?

Psychiatric disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder, drug or alcohol abuse and borderline personality disorder, are frequently associated with tattoos. Finding a tattoo on physical examination should alert the physician to the possibility of an underlying psychiatric condition.

Why is my 5 year old tattoo raised and itchy?

If you're having an allergic reaction to your tattoo, you might get a rash that's red, bumpy, or itchy. These symptoms can crop up in the days after you first get your tattoo or can appear months or years later. You can most likely treat the area with a steroid ointment.

Can your body reject a tattoo years later?

Yes, you can be allergic to certain brands of tattoo ink. Allergic reactions generally occur due to ingredients in the ink, such as pigments or metals. Symptoms can include itchiness, redness, swelling, or rash at the site of the tattoo, and can occur immediately or years later.

Why do my old tattoos bubble up?

Why is my old tattoo bubbling? Your old, fully healed tattoo shouldn't be bubbling. If it is it could be because of an infection, a burn such as sunburn or allergy. You should see your GP or dermatologist as soon as possible.

Why does my tattoo swell up sometimes?

In fact, raised tattoos are a very common occurrence among tattoo enthusiasts. A raised tattoo occurs when the skin around the tattoo becomes swollen, bumpy, or elevated due to irritated scar tissue and/or histamine response from the body. This can happen shortly after getting a tattoo, or it can develop over time.

Why are tattoos increasing?

Firstly, tattoos have become more socially acceptable. As more and more people have tattoos, they are no longer seen as being associated exclusively with gangs, bikers, or other fringe groups. Tattoos are now seen as a form of art, and many people appreciate the intricate designs and personal meanings behind them.

Why has my tattoo expanded?

What Is Tattoo Blowout? If you've recently gotten a tattoo, but it appears blurry and smudged during and after the healing process, you may be experiencing tattoo blowout. "A blowout is when a tattoo expands below the skin layer when it hits fat [and] veins or when scarring occurs," says Crys.

What is sarcoid vasculitis?

Definition. Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology that affects many organs and is characterized by non-caseating granulomas (1). Vascular involvement of sarcoidosis is an extremely rare finding.

Are tattoos linked to lymphoma?

Tattooed individuals had a higher adjusted risk of overall lymphoma (IRR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.99-1.48). The risk of lymphoma was highest in individuals with less than two years between their first tattoo and the index year (IRR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.03-3.20).

Can sarcoid turn into lymphoma?

In a Danish registry of patients with respiratory sarcoidosis, lymphoma occurred 11.5 times more frequently than expected in the general population.

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