infection.org

Tattoo Infected

You stand up and look in the mirror at the tattoo you jut received; a piece of art that symbolizes an expression of your morals, your beliefs, perhaps your mistakes. But how do you know it won’t get infected? How do you know for sure the place you received your tattoo is credible? How do you know that the tattoo artist truly sanitized his tools? Infected tattoos can occur from a variety of different ways: dirty ink practices, unwashed tools, and amateur artists. The truth is there is no way you can be 100% positive, but you can take the necessary precautions to refrain such an accident. Get an idea of all the tattoo parlors in your area, speak to people who currently have tattoos, ask the artists to show you his tools. So now you have your tattoo. You must take the appropriate steps to maintaining that fine art. Apply the cream twice a day or as prescribed, keep under the tattoo under the wrap for one day, and keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight. As previously stated, you may never know for sure; so what happens if you do get an infected tattoo? How will you know? Does it stay the same color? Does your skin change colors? Does the art peel? There are several ways to tell if your tattoo is infected.

1. Smell: If the tattoo happens to be infected it will emit a foul order. This side effect will hold true for the first two weeks after you have received your tattoo.

2. Sight: Other than your cream, there should be no liquid in or around tattoo. If the area of the tattoo is emitting puss, chances are it infected and must be checked by a doctor immediately.

3. Redness: Some redness a day after your tattoo is normal, but if a red hue continues for more than a few days a doctor must be contacted immediately to prevent a further infected tattoo.

4. Swollen: Although the first day, your skin may seem raised around the tattoo, that should go away within the first 48 hours. If a constant swelling remains, a doctor should take a look at the swollen area.

5. Pain: As previously stated with redness and swelling, pain will be a common feeling for the first day or two. This pain though should be a mild annoyance more than any actual pain. Once again, if this pain continues though there is a good chance your tattoo is infected and you must contact a doctor.

6. Contact: In any event you contract an infection from a tattoo, remember to contact the tattoo parlor you received it from. This act will not only allow you express your frustrations, but it will allow the parlor and artist to figure out the source of the problem.