Tattoo infections are uncommon, but they can happen. Signs of a tattoo infection include redness around the tattoo that spreads or doesn't go away, yellow drainage, and persistent pain. If you have these symptoms, get medical care. Tattoo infections should be treated with medications to avoid complications.
An infected tattoo can be serious. The area around your tattoo may be painful, swollen, red, and hot. You may see red streaks or pus at the tattoo site. You may have a fever or swollen or tender lymph nodes.
“Early infection treatment can be with oral antibiotics, but if the infection worsens you may have to be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics,” Kadri said. “Severe, deep-skin infections may require short- and long-term wound healing and surgical treatments.”
The reaction usually appears as an inflamed red rash or may sometimes be scaly and flaky (exfoliative dermatitis). Red tattoo pigments cause the most reactions, particularly those made from mercury sulfide (cinnabar).
Persistent redness: Skin shouldn't stay red for weeks or start to darken or spread. Green or yellow fluid: Pus oozing from your tattoo is a sign of infection. Persistent swollen skin: Skin on or around the tattoo shouldn't look puffy for weeks, which indicates an allergy to tattoo ink.
No, in almost all cases, an infected tattoo won't heal on its own, and an untreated infection could worsen and lead to more serious health complications.
Scabs on tattoos tend to either be the color of the ink OR a yellowish color. Assuming proper aftercare is being followed, the yellow-ness is plasma and NOT pus.
If your tattoo is INFECTED things will look different than when it's irritated. You might still see some redness, swelling, and soreness, but look at the extended area away from the tattoo to investigate for drainage of fluid or pus, severe redness, excessive swelling, and tenderness.
Pain, Swelling and Scabbing (Days 3-6) – The first several days will go by with your tattoo essentially still being a raw open wound. It will likely be painful during cleaning or when clothes/other body parts rub against it. Scabs will start to form towards the end of this stage.
Wash the tattoo with a mild soap and water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
However, some studies estimated that between 27% and 68% of tattooed individuals had some effect after the procedure, including minor skin elevation or itching. 19, 20, 21 Other studies estimated that about 1–6% of tattooed people had microbial infections after receiving a tattoo.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
The tattoo healing process is different for everyone — some people might not experience any peeling, while others might take up to a month to fully heal. Some of this depends on your body chemistry and the size or detail of the tattoo you get.
For minor infections, wash the infected area twice daily with antibacterial soap. Superficial infections, such as an impetigo or reddish sores around part of the tattoo, can be treated with local wound care plus topical antibiotic. A prescription strength antibiotic may be required for more severe cases.
Occasionally, a person may also develop granulomas, small bumps of inflamed tissue around the tattoo ink, or keloids, a type of raised scar. Severe allergic reactions can lead to angioedema, a serious condition characterized by deep swelling beneath the skin.
Infections: Excessive redness, swelling, or pus are red flags. Allergic reactions: Persistent itching, rashes, or irritation may indicate a reaction to tattoo ink or products. Prolonged healing: If your tattoo isn't healing within the expected timeframe, consult a medical professional.
If the scabbing starts to become red and inflamed, you likely have an infection that needs a doctor's attention. If your tattoo is oozing or developing an open wound (like the photo above) you'll need to see immediate doctor attention to stop the spread of infection.