Is it normal to have a swollen tattoo? It may happen that you see your tattoo inflamed after doing it or, it may even happen that you have the tattoo swollen after months or years of having it done for some reason. You must be very alert because a tattoo Inflamed, especially if there is redness or pain, it can be a sign of infection or other problems. Therefore, it is important to take into account the date on which the swelling appears with respect to the date of completion of the tattoo, along with more aspects, to determine the causes and apply the best treatments to cure it quickly and effectively.
Do you have relief in the tattoo? If this is your case, keep reading a HOW TO because here we tell you why do you have a swollen tattoo and how to cure it.
Why does a tattoo swell
Why do I have the I have the swollen tattoo? How long does a swollen tattoo last? When you just made one it is normal to have a swollen tattoo the next day or during 3 or 4 days later, because it is a natural reaction of the skin that is caused by the needle stick injury. Thus a freshly made puffy tattoo It is normal, but if it stays swollen for days or the inflammation of the tattoo occurs a few months after you have done the tattoo, it may be an indication of a more serious injury, allergy, or infection. Here we highlight some of the causes of a very swollen tattoo:
Tattoo inflamed by infection
The main cause of the appearance of a very swollen tattoo is infection. This complication usually occurs days after the drawing is made and, generally, it responds to the fact that it is a badly healed tattoo. In these cases, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or viruses manage to enter the body causing inflammation of the skin, in addition to other symptoms of infection, such as fever, muscle pain, malaise, tremors, discharge from the wounds of the tattoo or hardened skin.
In the event that the inflammation of the tattoo has been caused by an infection and the swelling lasts for 3 or 4 days or the symptoms worsen, it is essential go to the doctor so that they can give you the best specific treatment in each case, taking into account the type and severity of the infection.
How do you know if a tattoo is infected? Here we explain it to you.
Tattoo swollen by allergy
A swollen and itchy tattoo It can also respond to another more common cause than you might imagine: allergy. In these cases, the skin usually has a reaction in the area where the tattoo causing swelling, redness, itching, pain and swelling and sometimes even peeling of the skin. In the cases of swollen and raised skin allergy tattoo tremors, fever or general malaise are less common, so these symptoms can differentiate whether the cause of inflammation is infection or allergy.
To know if it is really an allergy, it is necessary go to the dermatologist at the moment in which the first symptoms are appreciated. Through a detailed examination of the skin, infections will be ruled out and specific allergy treatment can be started.
If you see your swollen red tattoo, we recommend that you also read this other post about why my tattoo is red.
How to cure a swollen tattoo
Since there is no single cause of tattoo inflammation, it is important to know how to heal a swollen tattoo in each case.
Treatment for inflamed and infected tattoo
Before starting a treatment for a tattoo inflamed by infectionFirst, the agent or microorganism that has generated said infection must be determined. To do this, it is necessary to see a doctor who, using a smear, will be able to determine the cause of the infection: bacterial, fungal or viral.
- Bacterial infection: in that case, treatment based on antibiotic ointment with bacitracin or fusidic acid will generally be indicated.
- Yeast infection: in these cases the application of antifungal ointments containing fluconazole, ketoconazole or itraconazole is recommended.
- Virus infection: It is the simplest treatment since you only have to maintain the hygiene of the infected area and let the virus run its course. So the infection could be cured without the need to take medication, if the doctor deems it appropriate.
For mild infections the ointments will be able to solve the infection, however, in cases of greater severity or with aggravated symptoms the doctor may prescribe the intake of antibiotics or other medications in tablets. Here we explain more about how to cure an infected tattoo.
Allergy Inflamed Tattoo Treatment
Treating an allergy-inflamed tattoo is straightforward and can be resolved with the intake of antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, bilstin or cetirizine, if recommended by the specialist doctor and in case of mild allergy. To combat more intense or more serious symptoms, the dermatologist may prescribe the application of a corticosteroid cream to help reduce tattoo swollen and itchy.
In addition to these specific treatments, we recommend that you carry out other actions that can help you alleviate the common inflammation of a tattoo, especially if the inflammation appears you have just had a tattoo.
- Use healing ointments to help disinfect the area if the tattoo is infected.
- Stop using moisturizing creams or lotions and avoid wetting the area, as it will moisten and soften it.
- Wash the tattoo properly and with the frequency recommended by the tattoo artist and dry the tattoo dabbing with kitchen paper, without rubbing.
- If it is an inflammation caused by the injury of the needle, being very careful it will disappear after 3 or 4 days at the most. Otherwise, do not hesitate to go to your doctor.
- Putting ice on the swollen tattoo it will help you reduce inflammation. Never apply the ice directly, do it through compresses or wrap the ice in a cloth and keep it on the tattooed area for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help reduce swelling for the first 24 hours. In addition, with the application of ice you will relieve the pain.
- Let him tattoo breathe in the open air to heal it faster. Of course, if you go out or are in contact with certain products, it is better to cover it with gauze or the type of material that the professional tattoo artist has recommended.
We advise you to take a look at these other posts on How to take care of a fresh tattoo and How long does it take for a tattoo to heal.
How to prevent the tattoo from becoming inflamed and infected
Prevention is the best way to prevent a tattoo from becoming infected and inflamed And, for this, you must commit to the necessary care that the tattoo requires, especially after doing it, only then will you be able to heal the wound on your skin and avoid complications. Take note of the following tips and help your tattoo to heal well.
Cover the tattoo
Keep the zone of tattoo covered during the first hours after doing it, between 2 and 4 hours. The best coverage is a plastic or plastic wrap, since it helps to increase the temperature of the injury and causes blood and fluids to be retained in it, helping it heal faster and better.
Wash the tattoo
Clean the tattooed area 2 to 3 times a day, during the first month. To do this, use warm water and neutral soap, for example glycerin, and avoid perfumed or alcohol soaps, since they can irritate the wound and even damage the tattoo. Gently wash the area and pat it dry with a towel or gauze, with great care, leaving the area completely dry.
Use tattoo cream
Use antibiotic cream to reduce the inflammation of the first days and, in addition, you will help prevent infections. Check with your tattoo artist to see which healing cream is the most recommended for you. On the other hand, hydrate the wound with healing creams, such as Bepanthol. Be careful with the use of other products, such as petroleum jelly. Here we explain the Pros and cons of using Vaseline for tattoos.
Be careful in the shower
Although you can shower from day one, it is important to be careful with the tattoo. Avoid getting soap or shampoo directly and when drying do not rub the tattooed area with a towel. Likewise, you will not be able to bathe during the first 3 weeks and you should avoid bathing in the pool or the sea during the first 2 weeks, or even until the wound heals completely, since the bacteria in the water, and other dirt and microorganisms that may be in it, can infect it.
Protect yourself from the sun
The direct sun is not a good ally for him tattoo. As well as causing the skin to become irritated, it can also accelerate the loss of shine and color of the tattoo. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure in the weeks after you have done the tattoo and, if you do expose it, always use a sun cream with a high level of protection (from 30 upwards).
Leave the tattoo outdoors
As we have already pointed out, it is good to let the skin breathe. After the first hours in which it must be completely covered (from 2 to 4 after …