any experience of bad reaction to tattoos that settles down and ends up ok?

[missedmyappointment]

My daughter had her first tattoo 10 days ago. It is still swollen and sore. It isn't getting worse, and it is maybe a bit better than yesterday. Has anyone had this? Is it likely to need removing? or is it likely to settle? At what point does it need medical attention? Very good tattoo artist, she did a lot of research and chose one highly recommended and very experienced. Unfortunately we can't go back to see the tattoo artist himself just now, as she has just come to join us on holiday, and we are planning to be away for another week and a half.

Thank you for any input

Hopeful bump!

Really hoping to hear people say "O that happened to me and it was all fine"...... but this being MN, I am expecting a few horror stories of how your arm turned green and fell off, as well. It would be great if the good outcomes outnumber the bad ones!

Has she been using a cream on the tattoo such as Bepanthen? Keeping it clean etc?
Where abouts is the tattoo?

I have one on my back that didn't swell at all but the one on my wrist was swollen and I think it's due to it being a more delicate area? The swelling took about a week to go down? If she is worried I'd call the tattoo studio she went to for advice x

Not the main question, but what are you doing on holiday? going swimming with a fresh tattoo is not advised, equally, keep it out of the sun (covered by a t-shirt). I'm unsure on sun cream at this stage; it'd be best to not expose it to the sun at all.

Otherwise I agree, it's best if she contacts the studio, even if it is a different artist; they will have a studio-wide concept of health and safety rules and information for care. Otherwise see a doctor. But if she researched a lot, she probably knows the post-tattooing care routine.

Before a tattoo is settled, you can't start removing anything, and it wouldn't make sense at this stage. First see to it that it heals as good as possible.

Could it be a reaction to the tints and pigments?

Thank you - it is good to hear that other people have had swelling too - not that I am glad you had it, it is really sore! It is on her shoulder - yes, she is putting the cream on

No swimming, no. yes, she is keeping it covered. Yes, I am worried that it is an allergic reaction to the ink, which would mean the ink needs removing, wouldn't it? That is my worry

Hey- I’m a tattoo artist. Definitely go to the dr, they’ll probably prescribe antibiotic cream and antihistamines. Sometimes it just happens unfortunately, you both could have been perfectly hygienic yet all it takes is a tiny spec of dust carrying some germ.

ok thank you. Does the tattoo normally mange to survive this? We cant go to a doctor very easily while on holiday, but will go to a pharmacy tomorrow. Thank you

Ive had mine been very itchy a few days after getting it. I took antihistamines a few days afterwards and it stopped and healed fine. Is it coloured ink or just black?

coloured, does that make a difference?

I've heard that coloured inks can cause more allergic reactions. Especially red.

Hey, it’ll likely heal up fine, may just need a touch up which is usually free. So long as she’s not scratching it (I know it’s really hard!) as that’s what can cause scarring.

Coloured inks are more likely to cause reactions, but the good thing about that is anti histamines will absolutely help

I'm allergic to a certain red ink I found out on my fourth tattoo and I have others with red in!

You may even find it’s hot weather if you’re somewhere sunny, even if she’s covering it. I have one of mine that feels like braille every summer for some reason!

I had quite a bit of swelling and pain with one of my tattoos. It was probably about two weeks before it wasn’t sore. It’s healed totally fine. It’s my only tattoo with shading whereas the others are just lines, so I just assumed that’s how they heal.

I react to a very specific shade of red ink. Basically my body pushed it out - just the red section was swollen and scabbed over. The result is actually fine just a lighter shade than expected. I took an antihistamine and used some cream on it. If it’s not a spreading red area (in which case see a doctor asap) maybe check with pharmacist if she can’t see the artist.

That is really reassuring, thank you