Infected Tattoo Care

Having a tattoo is a completely thrilling experience. Tattooing is known to be one of the best ways of expressing yourself and your personality. Tattoos have become widely popular these days and many are seen flaunting them on different parts of the body.

Tattoos can become risky at times though. A tattoo can become infected just like any open wound if neglected. Infected tattoos are not rare and the first step in your best interest is to make sure that your tattoo artist is properly licensed and operates out of a clean shop. This is your first opportunity that can ensure you a good tattooing experience. However, you might develop an infection later on. It is highly important that you follow tattoo aftercare instructions and also learn how to recognize a tattoo infection before you ink. Before we learn about infected tattoo care let us know how to recognize an infected tattoo.

How To Recognize an Infection
Recognizing whether your tattoo is actually infected or not is the first step towards infected tattoo care. Tattoos can be red, swollen, bleeding and just plain sore when they are just done and the more complex a design, the greater are the chances of these symptoms. Tattoos that have just been inked on your skin are usually red and irritated. This is just normal.

In case your tattoo oozes a greenish pus, stays red for weeks or is hot and swollen, it has developed a serious infection. Also, if you might notice any of the following signs, there's a major chance that your tattoo is becoming infected.

• More than minimal swelling
• Heat radiating from the tattoo
• An increase, rather than a decrease in redness and irritation over the area.
• Cloudy, yellowish/greenish discharge
• Any foul odor emanating from the tattoo
• Muscle aches
• General weakness

Some people might also have small red bumps around the fresh tattoo. This might be a sign of an allergic reaction to the type of ointment used and is not generally a sign of infection. Still, these bumps should be monitored to check if they increase in size so that the ointment is discontinued and your tattoo artist can recommended another product. If you are still confused, you can also visit your tattoo artist to know whether the tattoo is really infected. He would easily be able to confirm or reject the notion that your tattoo is infected.

How to Care for an Infected Tattoo
Once you recognize that your tattoo is infected, then you can follow the below mentioned steps on how to care for infected tattoo.

• The infected tattoo care mainly includes keeping the infected area around your tattoo as clean as possible. First wash your hands thoroughly. Now, wash the area using a antibacterial soap and warm water and then pat it dry using a clean soft cloth or disposable towel.
• Keeping your tattoo dry at all times is the most important part of infected tattoo care. Remember that water is the biggest enemy of your tattoo as it heals. Do not swim with an infection and try to completely avoid the area coming in contact with water when you take a shower.
• Do not use harsh or scented soaps, colored lotions, or any petroleum based products over your tattoo, these can irritate your tattoo and increase the healing time. Petroleum based products keep the tattoo overly-wet, and warm, this will provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and hence, prevent your tattoo from getting the much-needed air to heal.
• Infected tattoo care includes keeping it uncovered to stop any further breeding of bacteria. If you want to cover it, do so using a sterile gauze coated in an antibiotic cream or ointment. You must also change this gauze frequently. Take care that your tattoo is not exposed to dirt, grime, pets or anyone's bodily fluids. Take care so that the infected tattoo does not stick to your clothing or bedding.
• Apply a layer of antibiotic ointment over the infected area twice a day. Do so after cleaning the surface and drying it properly. Repeat this daily until the tattoo infection clears.
• If the infection persists and shows no signs of healing within a few days, you must consult your physician. He will prescribe antibiotics, which you must consume as recommended to treat tattoo infection. Even if the infection appears to have cleared up, you should not stop taking antibiotics early.

Tattoo infections can be a result of improper tattooing methods or not following tattoo care instructions given by the tattoo artist. Not keeping the area clean and restricting fresh air to the site result will only result in conditions that promote bacterial growth. Some of you might also have allergic reactions to tattoo inks or experience adverse skin reactions. To determine the exact problem, you need to see a doctor or dermatologist. Ignoring the instructions given by your tattoo artist can contribute to an infection. You must not hesitate to go back to your tattoo artist or doctor to have the infection confirmed and evaluated. Remember, if left untreated, infections can not only damage the tattoo itself, they can potentially lead to something life-threatening like blood infection as well. So just don't be ignorant, have fun.