What is a Tattoo Infection?

Most of the time, people are extremely happy and excited after getting a brand-new tattoo and expect their tattoo to heal beautifully over the next few weeks. After all, tattoos are generally a safe cosmetic procedure.

Unfortunately, the healing process of a tattoo doesn’t always go as planned, and out of all the possible side effects your new tattoo can have in these early and crucial days, an infected tattoo is among the worst and most dreaded.

Right after getting a new tattoo, the affected area is essentially a large open wound, making it extremely susceptible to germs and bacteria until the tattooed skin can protect itself again.

However, if these nasty germs find their way into the wound, your immune system might not be able to prevent them from infecting the area and causing damage to the surrounding tissue.

Often, an infection remains very minor and localized to the affected area, and these small skin infections can actually heal on their own over a period of several days or at most a few weeks.

However, if an infected tattoo is left untreated, it can actually lead to blood poisoning, shock, and even ultimately organ failure and death, although this is fortunately extremely rare.

How to Recognize an Infected Tattoo

Persistent/Extreme Pain

In general, all new tattoos cause some pain in the first few days, and the larger the tattoo, the more painful the affected area usually is, and the longer it typically takes for the pain to completely subside.

However, if your tattoo starts causing excruciating, burning pain, or if the tattoo remains very painful even after 7-10 days (or if the pain gets worse instead of improving), this could be a sign of a potential infection.

Rash

A skin rash can come in many different forms, sizes, textures, and colors. While many rashes are simply red and smooth, some can also be raised and bumpy.

While a skin rash on a tattoo typically indicates mild irritation of the skin, it can also be a sign of an infection, especially if it worsens or spreads outward from the tattooed skin. If a rash appears and disappears rapidly, it could suggest a potential allergic reaction.

Extreme Redness

Almost all tattoos will be red and inflamed in the first few days afterward (or longer if the tattoo is particularly large). However, if a tattoo becomes increasingly red over a period of 5-7 days, instead of gradually fading, this could indicate the development of an infection.

Hot to the Touch

Most tattoos will feel warm or like they’re burning in the first few days due to the body’s natural healing mechanism that increases blood flow to heal the tattoo (increased blood flow to the area will naturally raise the temperature of the spot).

However, if your tattoo is very hot to the touch, or if it remains warm even after a week, this could be a sign of a potential infection.

Extreme Itching

While annoying itching is common with a new tattoo, especially when the area becomes very dry, persistent or extremely intense itching that you can’t tolerate may be a sign of an infection or an allergic reaction. This is especially true if the itching doesn’t subside after attempting to soothe the area.

A skin infection is also much more likely if the itching is accompanied by one or more of the other symptoms on this list.

Swelling

Swelling is quite common with new tattoos, especially if the tattoo is below the waist (legs/ankles/feet) or on a very sensitive and thin-skinned area like the inner upper arm.

If the swelling is very severe, spreads away from the tattoo, and doesn’t decrease over a period of 7-10 days, this could be indicative of an infection.

Extreme/Unusual Scab Formation

The formation of scabs is entirely normal during the healing process of a tattoo, and occasionally, a thick, unsightly crust can develop, especially if the tattoo artist was rough with the needle.

If the entire tattoo is covered in crusty, thick, itchy scabs that also start to ooze and bleed, this could be a sign of an infection. Infected tattoos generally appear very irregular due to thick scabs and dried blood/plasma.

Blister Formation

Blisters are not a common side effect of tattooing, so any blister formation on the skin around the tattooed area should be considered suspicious and may potentially indicate an infection. Any blisters on tattoos should be examined.

Pimples or boils that discharge pus

Pimples can commonly occur on a new tattoo and are usually not a problem. However, if pimples develop that start to ooze and have an unpleasant odor or evolve into large, painful abscesses, there is likely an infection present. Pus can be either clear and thin or thick and sticky, depending on the type of infection.

You should note that in the first few days, your new tattoo is likely to exude small amounts of blood, ink, and plasma. So don’t worry and don’t mistake it for an infection. If this happens in the first few days, it’s likely entirely normal.

Foul Odor

A foul odor emanating from a tattoo is usually accompanied by leakage and a purulent discharge and is generally a sign that an infection is present. Have the skin area examined by a tattoo artist or a doctor.

Persistent Bleeding

Bleeding typically slows down once the tattoo is completed and usually stops completely after the first 2-3 nights due to blood clotting and crust formation in the area.

An infected tattoo can start bleeding again after this period, especially if the area is heavily crusted and starts to crack and ooze.

Red Streaks

If long lines of redness appear that appear to be extending away from your tattoo, you should seek immediate medical attention as this is a symptom of sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, which is not the same as tattoo ink poisoning.

Sepsis can be life-threatening if not treated promptly, so redness should be taken very seriously when noticed.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

There are small, bump-like nodes located throughout the body called lymph nodes. These nodes help filter impurities from your blood.

When an infection is present, the lymph nodes closest to the infection tend to swell, and they are usually located in the groin area, armpits, and neck.

If you have a new tattoo exhibiting one or more symptoms on this list and there is a swollen lymph node nearby, there may be an infection, and you should notify your doctor.

High Temperature / Fever / Extreme Fatigue

In general, all infections have the ability to raise body temperature and cause fatigue/extreme exhaustion.

If, in addition to one or more symptoms on this list, you have a fever/high fever/extreme fatigue, you could have an infected tattoo and should consult a doctor.

If your symptoms also include a rapid heartbeat, increased breathing rate, and/or general confusion, seek medical attention immediately, as these could be signs of a serious condition like sepsis.

How to Treat an Infected Tattoo

The first thing to note is that all suspected skin infections should be taken seriously. As soon as you suspect your tattoo is infected, you should contact your tattoo artist or a doctor as soon as possible so they can examine the tattoo and provide further advice. Doctors will also be able to differentiate an infection from other issues like an allergic reaction.

Antibiotics and steroid administration are common treatments, and less common methods include draining infections and, in extreme cases, the emergency room.

Remember: even if the infection is minimal and confined to a small area of your tattoo, it can still have serious implications for the long-term appearance of your tattoo if not treated promptly.

If left untreated for too long, an infection can eventually spread to other areas around the tattoo and cause further damage.

Below are some steps that can be taken to treat and alleviate symptoms caused by an infection (in addition to any medication/advice prescribed by a doctor).

Apply Ice

If the wound is itchy or swollen, applying ice to the area can help alleviate and minimize symptoms.

However, be sure not to apply ice directly to the skin. Always make sure there is a damp cloth between the ice and your tattoo to prevent further damage to the area.

Air Out the Wound

Regularly exposing the wound to fresh air (especially if it is regularly bandaged) allows the skin to receive sufficient oxygen, which should help accelerate the healing process.

Clean the Wound

You should ensure that you keep the infected area as clean as possible to prevent further spread of the infection.

Clean the wound at least 3 times a day, making sure to pat the area completely dry with a clean paper towel. Dry skin is much less inviting to germs and bacteria than moist or wet skin.

The guidelines shown here for tattoo cleaning are sufficient for both infected tattoos and completely healthy tattoos.

Apply a Bandage

Applying a bandage to the affected area can help protect the tattoo from infection and prevent the open wound from rubbing against anything.

However, some tattoo artists and doctors may advise against applying a bandage, depending on the type of infection and the affected area of the skin. Always seek the opinion of your doctor or tattoo artist regarding the use of a bandage before attempting it yourself.

Keep Away from Direct Sunlight

New ink is very sensitive to UV rays even under the best circumstances, and an infected tattoo is likely to be twice as sensitive and much more susceptible to burns compared to a normally healing tattoo. Therefore, do your best to protect the tattoo from direct sunlight until it has fully healed, and all infections have been successfully treated.

Causes and Prevention

Unhygienic Tattoo Environment/Equipment

This is by far the most common cause of tattoo infections.

When getting a tattoo, it is essential that the shop/environment where the tattooing process takes place is entirely clean and free from any harmful bacteria.

Furthermore, all tattooing equipment such as needles and ink containers must be completely sterile, and any equipment that is not brand new and straight out of the packaging should be wrapped in foil or another type of coating before each procedure. This ensures that all surfaces remain hygienic and neutralizes the risk of bacterial spread.

It is crucial to find a reputable tattoo artist to do the work for you and never get tattooed by an amateur tattoo artist (“scratcher”).

Infected Ink

Just as bad as getting a tattoo in a dirty environment is not taking proper care of it after leaving the studio.

You must make sure to keep your tattoo as clean as possible by washing the area at least twice a day (morning and evening) and preferably during the day if you’re spending time in an unclean environment.

Cleaning your tattoo with gentle antibacterial soap and lukewarm water not only helps eliminate 99.9% of bacteria in the surroundings but also keeps bacteria and germs away from the wound until the next wash.

Failing to clean your tattoo properly can lead to a buildup of bacteria and increase the risk of infection.

How to clean a new tattoo:

Bad aftercare instructions

While most tattoo artists provide their clients with a printed guide containing detailed instructions for caring for their new tattoos, some artists may not do so or may forget.

For someone who is new to the art of tattooing and completely unaware of the necessary care during the healing process, this can lead to neglect of the tattooed area, which can then increase the possibility of infection.

Tattoo Re-Wrapping

After your tattoo has been completed, your tattoo artist will clean the area with a soapy solution before wrapping it in plastic wrap to create a protective barrier against bacteria until you get home and can clean the area yourself. This helps to protect the tattoo from potential infections.

Once your tattoo is completed, your tattoo artist will wash the area with a soapy solution before wrapping it to create a protective barrier against bacteria until you get home and can clean the area again.

After the initial wrapping has been removed, it is usually discouraged to re-wrap the tattoo yourself. This is because the initial wrapping in the studio was done in an extremely clean environment by a professional who ensured that the tattooed area was completely clean and free of bacteria before applying the wrap.

However, if you attempt to re-wrap the tattoo yourself, you are very unlikely to keep the area as clean and sterile as necessary. If you wrap the area and there are already bacteria present around the wound, the warm, enclosed, moist environment between the wrap and your skin will create an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. This situation then becomes a high-risk scenario, dramatically increasing the likelihood of infection.

Scrape/pull off scabs

When your tattoo begins to heal, it forms a layer of scabs over the wound. These scabs develop to protect the injured skin beneath from germs and bacteria.

Although it may be tempting to scratch off those thick, unsightly scabs, doing so can be detrimental to the tattoo healing process, especially if you attempt to scratch them with dirty fingernails – it’s an infection waiting to happen.

Peeling off the scabs can not only further delay the healing process of your tattoo but also increase the risk of ink being pulled from the area, potentially creating areas with faded or uneven color.

Most importantly, though, peeling a scab from your new tattoo reopens the wound and introduces germs and bacteria into the region, raising the risk of infecting your tattoo.

Bathing in dirty water

You should never soak your tattoo in any body of water while it’s still healing. Even though some bodies of water may appear clean, they likely still harbor billions of bacteria. Always take short showers with a new tattoo and never bathe.

Allow Others to Touch the Area

Allowing others to touch your new tattoo is a terrible idea. You have no idea where their hands have been since their last handwashing. Only allow yourself to touch your tattoo, and make sure your own hands are thoroughly cleaned immediately before touching the area to ensure there are absolutely no bacteria present.

Using too much lotion

Using too much lotion on your fresh tattoo can be counterproductive. It’s important to use the recommended amount of tattoo moisturizer to ensure your tattoo heals well. Applying too much lotion can prevent the skin from breathing adequately and create a moist environment where bacteria can thrive.

Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions for tattoo care and apply the recommended amount of lotion. Use a specially formulated tattoo lotion or one without fragrances and additives to avoid skin irritation. Less is often more when it comes to caring for a new tattoo.

Always make sure your tattoo is completely clean and dry before applying lotion, and only apply a very thin layer to your skin – just enough to make the area slightly shiny.

Life decisions

A healthy and fit body is highly effective at neutralizing any threats posed by efficient wound healing and the rapid elimination of bacteria/germs before they can cause an infection.

However, various lifestyle choices can significantly impair the immune system and reduce its effectiveness in defending against infections. Opting for sleep deprivation and excessive alcohol consumption over a healthier lifestyle is a surefire way to slow down your body’s healing abilities. Smoking significantly prolongs healing times and increases the risk of infection.

Diseases

Various medical conditions and ailments can also have a significant impact on the capabilities of your immune system. It’s always extremely important to consult with a medical professional before getting a tattoo to ensure that the process doesn’t increase the risk of infection or seriously affect your health. Even over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can affect how your tattoo heals.