Tattoo allergic reaction? Help:(

[chellexx]

So I got the most beautiful tattoo 6 days ago today, black ink with a tad bit of white in it. 3 days ago I noticed a hive like rash on the left side of my tattoo, bearing in mind this rash is not touching the tattoo at all, and the tattoo is healing wonderfully, it looks healthy and not red at all. This rash has continued to look a bit more hivey each day until 12am this morning I noticed the hives have now gone to the right side of the tattoo, again, not touching the tattoo just surrounding it, so I messaged the tattooist who said it looks like an allergic reaction and to discard the aftercare products she gave me and purchase a sudocrem type cream for the rash with anti histamines aswell. Thing is, I actually suspected it could be that, so I stopped that two days ago already, so my next thought is it must be the ink… I went to the pharmacy today and they said it’s so strange because it’s surrounding the tattoo but the tattoo itself does not look infected in any form of way, it looks like it’s healing well, but they agreed the rash is looking rather nasty. So as my tattooist advised I did purchase anti histamines and I actually purchased aveeno baby lotion as I read online it’s super gentle for inflamed skin. It’s now 10:44pm and I took the anti histamine at 4pm. The rash is BURNING. And itching like crazy… way worse than it was this afternoon in terms of burn and itch. It was already burning mind you but this is keeping me up I can’t even sleep, so I just had a look and again no redness except obviously the rash but it isn’t severely red, just a normal rash kind of red. But the hives look worse. I’m really starting to panic as someone who does have a bit of health anxiety, I believe it is probably an ink allergy so what would happen from here? Will it just get used to it and calm down on its own? Should I book a doctors appointment? I’m not really sure what to do. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Thank you so much if you reply!!

I do react to latex sometimes but it’s a hit and miss, I’ve had a minor surgery with latex gloves being used and been absolutely fine, but I’ve used an eyelash glue with latex in and my eye has swelled so it really depends on how my body feels on that day ironically

Was just going to say is it a reaction to the gloves.

Your body is under stress trying to scramble itself to heal the tattoo, that might cause this hit and miss allergic reaction?

I hope so I would much prefer this than a potential ink allergy, but would it cause continuous hives for days? Would it not start to taper off after the first anti histamine? It doesn’t seem to have changed or feel better since taking it earlier today that’s my concern again I am going to call docs in morning

I think you should obviously get proper medical advice, but just to reassure you this happened to me with one of my (many) tattoos. Rash looked similar to yours but redder and wildly itchy. Pharmacist and tattoo artist both just advised antihistamines and patience. It did eventually go down after a couple of weeks. Hopefully yours will calm down soon too.

I will call my doctor in the morning just for my own peace of mind, did yours also feel really itchy and burn?

I see why you re saying it not infection

its raised hives .. could you make some oat meal and put on top for a good 20mins?

have you put ice ?

It was REALLY itchy - drove me mad. I don't know that I recall burning.

Where the rash is in location to your tattoo looks exactly where the artist would have held your arm. Given your history with reacting to latex it seems likely to be that. Obviously get it checked tomorrow.

Take another antihistamine tonight if you can. If it’s fexofenadine, you probably bought 120 strength, but can get 180. Read the instructions but if you took one at 4:30pm, you’ll be fine to take another. One antihistamine won’t get rid of it. It could take several days.

i haven’t put oatmeal on it, but aveeno has this aspect in it so I did use some of that earlier along with some sudocrem. I haven’t used ice on it, I will try that! - it’s been like this for 3 days now but the rash is much worse today as it now spread to the other side and went all hivey there too

I dont know anything about tattoos but I know loads about rashes. That looks like an allergic reaction to me 100%. Since it is surrounding the rash I would definitely go with the thought of it being linked to something that has touched the skin rather than the actual ink. Normally allergic contact dermatitis will get better itself once the thing you are reacting to isn't there anymore. Do the antihistamines not make any difference at all? I would see the pharmacist or GP for another check and maybe a stronger one.

Okay thank you! Hopefully it’s just that

Obviously get it checked, but it looks like where she would have rested her hand, whilst tattooing. Looks like contact dermatitis to me. Have you taken another antihistamine yet?

Interesting, so what could it be then, I was wondering from other comments it could have been the gloves but the tat was 6 days ago now and the rash actually came up 3 days ago, the aftercare she gave me I stopped myself two days ago now incase it was that, it hasn’t budged. I do have white ink in the tat, I can’t think of anything else it could be if not the latex then maybe the ink?

It does look like hives. Hydrocortisone cream and a stronger antihistamine. Fexofenadine 180, hopefully will calm it down. In the meantime I’d try a cold flannel pop one in the fridge and put that on it for a while. That should help the burning. Hope you feel better soon.

Oh I personally wouldn’t put anything on it apart from oat meal (ground it and just add some water)

definitely not aveeno for sure

you have any oats ?

Reactions don't always happen immediately. It can take time for your body to decide it doesnt like something. What exactly has touched the skin since the tattoo? Did the tattoo artist use a special cleanser before or after? I would tend to agree a latex reaction would normally show up quickly, but I'm not completely sure if it could be so delayed.

Edit to say I just checked on latex reactions (I have a latex allergy myself so should know this) and it can take up to a few days for a latex reaction to appear. So this ties in with you thinking you had a previous latex reaction?

So the only thing I can think of, except my clothing is the aftercare she provided me, but I just don’t think it’s that because I did stop it two days ago, and it’s a cocoa butter and mild soap she blended herself, I can’t think of anything else that could have triggered it

I don’t, il have to purchase in the morning

I edited my post but you'd already replied - I checked on latex reactions and they can actually take a couple of days to appear? So that ties in with a previous latex reaction you had? I have a latex allergy and I know they burn really badly. It looks like exactly where the gloves would have been in contact too.

Maybe just go back to the pharmacist for another look. He’ll likely sell you a hydrocortisone cream and maybe stronger antihistamines. Allergic reactions can take ages to calm down so don’t panic it didn’t go after one antihistamine x

Ah! This could be it then! I will still give my doc a call in the morning but hoping it is just that

Or if you have a gorgeous NDN you can go ask ? 🫣

which antihistamine did they give you? Some are stronger on relieving itching

in the meantime ice might calm it down

That makes sense. Just to cover all bases, it could potentially be a reaction to the cocoa butter/soap. Bearing in mind it can take a while for a reaction to show up and then start to get better once you're not in contact with the allergen any more. But I would go with the latex if you previously reacted. Definitely carry on with the antihistamines to hopefully help the burning/itch.

Leave it be, stop putting stuff on it, keep it clean, does not look concerning at all looking at that photo, seek help if it gets worse, you get a temperature or feel unwell.

Keep taking antihistamines.