Risks With Getting Inked: Tattoos That Are Infected

One of the risks with tattoos is developing an infection that not only poses a threat to your health, but also could affect the look of your tattoo.

Tattoos that are infected are not a pretty sight.  Here are a couple visual examples of infected tattoos.

As you can see these tattoos are red, swollen and crusty.

Signs and Symptoms of a Tattoo Infection include:

1. Pain, swelling and localized tenderness
2. Pus or discharge or any color
3. Fever (an elevated temperature may mean that the body is trying to fight off the bacteria causing the inflammation)

How to Treat an Infected Tattoo:

Once you see evidence of a tattoo infection, you should get some A&D or Neosporin ointment to decrease the amount of bacteria near the tattoo.  Make sure to keep the tattoo as dry as possible--moisture is a breeding ground for bacterial growth.  Keep your hands off!  Don't touch, poke or pick at it.  This halts the healing process and also introduces more bacteria to the area. 

You should visit the doctor or emergency room if your symptoms persist for more than 2-4 days with home treatments and if the area becomes numb.  You may need stronger medication to fight off the infection.  Do not hesitate to get help before the infection gets out of control.  Worse case scenarios include sepsis (when the infection enters your bloodstream) and the spread of a flesh-eating bacteria. 

How to Avoid Your Tattoo Becoming Infected:

First of all, make sure that you are not sick (and immunosuppressed) when you go in for your tattoo.  If your body is trying to fight off a cold, it may not be able to battle new bacteria effectively.

Go to a  licensed tattoo parlor.  Also, watch the tattoo artist intently and make sure that he takes every measure to tattoo in a sanitary environment.  Are the chairs and body tables disinfected after each use?   Does he wash his hands and wear gloves?   Does she open a new sterile needle to use on you?

Even this may not be enough.  There have been cases where people develop tattoo infections due to bacterial contamination of the water used to mix the tattoo inks and dyes. 

Understand that a tattoo is an open wound and contact with germ-carrying fingers could be a hazard.  Try to keep the tattoo dry to avoid bacterial overgrowth and make sure not to agitate it so it can heal as soon as possible.