Infected Tattoo Signs

A number of people suffer from infected tattoo, after getting inked. Normally infected tattoo infections are general in nature. However, infected tattoo signs should not be neglected. Did you get yourself inked recently? It is very important, that you take good care of the tattoo, as chances of infected tattoo are high if the skin is bothered or picked after getting a tattoo made. The skin needs to heal, is what most people forget. Remember tattoo is a wound, which you have inflicted on yourself.

Signs of Infected Tattoo

Tattoo care is necessary, to avoid infections. However, now we will see, what are symptoms of an infected tattoo. Before we actually start with infected tattoo signs, it is necessary that you ascertain if the tattoo is indeed infected. Just after getting a tattoo made, it is going to be red and irritated. It is observed that blood can ooze out from the tattoo site or there can be scabbing of tattoos. At such times, do not irritate the skin any further. However, if you see green pus oozing out and redness for more than a week, swelling; then indeed your tattoo is infected. Let's see what are the signs of an infected tattoo. The first sign is inflammation. There can be itching, pricking sensation around the tattoo, it is an indicator of irritation and infection. If you gently move your hand over the tattoo, does the skin feel hot to touch, after more than 2-3 days of getting the tattoo made? In that case, it is a sign of tattoo infection. Its natural for swelling around the tattoo site, as the skin has been troubled. If the swelling spreads away from the tattoo area, it is means there is an underlying tattoo infection. Tattoo infection can cause fever. There are chances of mild to severe fever. If the fever stays for more than a day or two, do not neglect it. Have yourself examined by a health care professional. Along with fever, tattoo infection can also give rise to muscle pain and weakness. However, it is important to note that weakness sets in, when the infection is well spread. You will have to pay attention to it and get it treated. It is natural for the tattoo site to pain. If you have got a small design made, the pain will be less as compared to large design. Ideally tattoo pain should go away after a couple of days. In case, it does not subside and if the pain increases, chances are high that you have a tattoo infection. Yellow-greenish discharge is a clear indicator of an infection. At times the discharge can be accompanied by foul odor as well. Then it's time, you visit your health care professional as it might require a dose of antibiotics. If you see red streaks outside the tattoo, it is a sign of blood poisoning. It is an emergency, immediately visit your doctor, as it can prove to be fatal. Swollen lymph nodes also need immediate attention, as it means immune system is trying hard to resist the infection. Infected Tattoo Treatment

The first step in infected tattoo treatment is to visit your tattoo artist as soon as you see infected tattoo symptoms. The tattoo artists are usually trained to handle tattoo infections. Its good to remember, that they also see a number of tattoo infections first hand. They will be in a better position to judge, if what you claim as infections are indeed signs of an infected tattoo.

If the tattoo artist is unable to provide a remedy, visit to your health care professional may be called for. He will be able to tell you, the kind of skin infection you bear and at the same time, give you proper guidance in regards to infected tattoo care. If the infection is severe, he might prescribe some oral antibiotics. In case the health care professional feels, that the infection can be treated with topical ointment, he will prescribe an antibiotic ointment. Do not use any other topical ointment, as the ointment can clog the skin and further the infection.

A small tip in taking care of tattoo infection, is to keep it dry all the time. Do not go swimming, when you have a tattoo infection. It will aggravate the infection, as contact with water leads to pus formation. Even while taking a shower, take care that you keep the tattoo area dry.

Author: Bhakti Satalkar