Infected Tattoo: Everything You Need to Know

A tattoo infection occurs when a person gets a tattoo and it becomes infected due to small wounds on the skin. Although proper sterilization and care can reduce the risk of tattoo infection, it still can occur. Tattoo infections can be mild, but if left untreated, they can be dangerous and lead to serious health consequences.

This article discusses the signs, causes, and stages of tattoo infection and what you can do to prevent or treat it.

Signs of an Infection

Post-application swelling, pain, and redness in the tattooed area are completely normal. However, if an infection occurs, other symptoms can present, including:

• Pus coming from the area
• Shallow ulcers or a scaly rash on the skin
• Raised bumps on the skin that can present with or without pus
• Excessive redness or warmth around the tattoo site
• Pain or swelling that worsens in the area
• Painful, hot skin that drains a gray liquid, which can be a sign of tissue death in the area

The aforementioned signs will occur at or around the site of the tattoo, but other signs of infection can arise, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Sweats
• Shaking

Tattoo Infection Causes

A tattoo infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or another pathogen that gets into the small wounds made by a tattoo gun. There are several ways that this can happen, including:

• Contaminated needles or ink
• Not cleaning the wound properly after you get the tattoo
• Poor hygienic practices at the tattoo parlor

Tattoo Infection Stages

When an infection develops after a tattoo, it goes through various stages. While these stages aren’t medically defined, they can help you get a better sense of how the infection will progress over time.

The stages associated with skin infections after a tattoo include:

• Stage 1: A dull pain and tenderness in the area develops.
• Stage 2: Swelling, warmth, and redness occurs.
• Stage 3: The initial symptoms worsen, and redness expands over the span of hours or even days.
• Stage 4: Small papules or bumps begin to form and, in some cases, break open, releasing pus.
• Stage 5: Ulcers and other skin lesions begin to appear and, in some cases, tissue death can occur.
• Stage 6: Fever, chills, sweats, and shaking begin, because the infection has made its way inside the body.

Treatment

To treat a tattoo infection, a healthcare provider must first know what type of pathogen is causing it. In the event that bacteria is causing the infection, antibiotics will be prescribed.

The duration and strength of the antibiotic will highly depend on how far along the infection is and where it is infecting the body. Antibiotics used include:

• Oral antibiotics
• Intravenous antibiotics, which are administered through a vein in the arm
• Hydrophilic antibiotics, which are given in high doses for a severe infection

In some cases, viral infections that a person acquired through tattoos cannot be cured.

Some examples of possible viral infections that can be contracted via tattooing include:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Rubella (German measles)
• Molluscum contagiosum (viral type of poxvirus)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Hepatitis B and C

These viral infections cannot be cured, but they can be managed with medications. Treatment will vary.

Prevention

Preventing a tattoo infection requires a person to not only practice good aftercare, but also to choose the right parlor. If you are looking to get a tattoo and want to avoid infection, look for a licensed tattoo artist and a well-reviewed parlor.

Getting to know the tattoo artist and visiting the tattoo parlor prior to getting the tattoo is a good way to determine whether they are practicing safe tattooing.

That said, even the cleanest and most hygienic tattoo parlors can have unopened ink that contains bacteria or other pathogens. Roughly 10% of new inks will contain bacteria, which is out of the control of the tattoo parlor and artists.

Because of this, proper aftercare is the best way to protect yourself against infection. Proper aftercare involves:

• Always washing your hands prior to touching the tattoo to avoid any transfer of bacteria or other pathogens
• Removing the bandage one to two hours after getting the tattoo
• Using a liquid antibacterial soap to wash the tattoo
• Using paper towels to gently dry the tattoo after washing
• Moisturizing the area with a small amount of scent-free moisturizer one to three times per day for at least two weeks
• Wrapping the tattoo in plastic wrap the first night while sleeping
• Avoiding rough or irritating clothing for the first two weeks following the tattoo

Summary

All tattoos come with a risk of infection because they are open wounds. If an infection does occur, it will present with symptoms such as swelling, redness, pain, ulcers or a rash, and possibly fever or chills. If you notice any signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Your provider can examine the area, diagnose the infection, and prescribe treatment, most likely antibiotics.

If a tattoo infection is left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening health conditions, such as septic shock and toxic shock syndrome. To prevent a tattoo infection, you should always go to a reputable artist with a clean parlor and follow all of the after-care instructions carefully.