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!!

Just a basic branded store one

I will do! Thanks so much for the advice

DD1 had this as a reaction to a vaccine. We took her to urgent care and she was prescribed antibiotics and strong antihistamines, which worked.

Try 1% hydrocortisone cream. Available over the counter.

Yes i agree. This would soothe it immediately.

Did the artist wear latex gloves, or nitrile ones? Latex allergies are very common.

Ah, didn't see this update.

Latex allergy gets worse with repeated exposure. You might have been fine during that minor surgery many years ago (or the medics wore nitrile gloves so there was nothing to react to) but you will have got more sensitive since then, especially if you have been putting latex glue in your eyes (WTF were you thinking when you know you have an allergy?).

You need to treat latex like something that could kill you, because eventually it will become that if you keep exposing yourself to it. This means:

• latex-free condoms
• latex-free sticking plasters
• medics, dentists, and tattooists use nitrile gloves on you
• no rubber balloons in the house
• no latex sex toys or "adult clothes"
• no latex mattresses
• no latex-backed mats in the house, because every time you vacuum them the particles get blown into the air
• no rubber bands

About a decade ago, some kids at a party were hitting each other with balloons. My throat began to tighten up and I had to leave, just from the particles released. That was my first respiratory reaction, yet I've never had a contact reaction as bad as yours. My point is that you are already at risk of a respiratory reaction, so you must avoid further exposure.

Also, if you need an operation on the future you need to be the first on the list so no exposure to latex gloves.

I’d stop using any non-essential products on the area for now, especially the aftercare products and new lotions, as they could be contributing to the reaction. Keep the tattoo clean and follow basic aftercare, but because the rash is getting worse and is burning and very itchy, I’d get advice from a GP or pharmacist rather than adding more creams. If you get facial swelling or any trouble breathing, seek urgent help.

Yeah I’m voting latex allergy as well. My daughter and I both have sensitive skin and the rash looks very much like ones she’s had from reacting to grass / bunnies / whatever. Time to take that allergy seriously in future before something worse happens.

I still think it’s normal to wrap up a tattoo for a couple days though and am very confused by that. Even more so if you were heading straight to a germ filled environment after. I was flying the day after my last tattoo and she wrapped it up extra as planes are gross.

Sorry meant the type .. I think cetrizinine like Piriteze might be strongest but I am not an expert

there are 100% different types though so worth asking pharmacist

As someone with an anaphylactic latex allergy I completely agree with this OP. When you go to the doctor please, please ask to be referred to be tested for Latex Allergy. Mine started exactly like yours , occassional and not that bad, I was never told that each exposure made me more sensitised and I wish someone had told me. I carried on blowing up balloons, using rubber bands and not taking the rash, local swellibg seriously. One day it tipped into anaphylactic where it has remained ever since causing me a lot of problems and worry. The fact that the allergy was being triggered at the same time as a needle was breaking the skin would worry me that it was a big sensitisation occurance. The first thing you should do is call the tattoo artist and ask them to check the glove box and ingrediants. I hope that you feel better soon !

Thank you. I’ve always known I’ve been sensitive to it, I never really felt it to be a true allergy to be honest with you. I will be careful from now on regarding latex products. I believe the gloves were very likely latex as that’s the norm unless you state an allergy I guess. I’ve wrote to the doctor and told them that I’m sensitive to latex and they weren’t really concerned regarding the rash at all, he said it doesn’t look infected and just looks like I’ve had a minor reaction. They have prescribed a stronger anti histamine for me and said to keep an eye on it over the course of next few days. Hopefully it goes.

Is the tattoo on your inside forearm? I have lots of tattoos but the one on my inside forearm developed a hive type rash while it was healing, I put it down to the fact that my skin was warm where my elbow was bent and perhaps not reacting well with the cream I was using, I do have very sensitive skin and often get hives. My tattoo healed absolutely fine and I’ve had tattoos since with no reaction.

If you think it’s a reaction to the latex I think that’s definitely worthwhile exploring with your GP but I just wanted to add my own experience.

I hope it settles soon op. I’m voting latex allergy too.

On a side note, for my most recent tattoo the artist popped a loose bit of clingfilm over (as she knew I was catching various public transport to get home), and told me to take it off as soon as I got home. I did as instructed, and it healed absolutely fine.

It’s on the side of my wrist