Infected tattoo

There are those who, a few days after getting a tattoo, suffer an infection in it. The truth is that although there is a lot of talk about it, this happens rarely, and in the vast majority of them it is the fault of the patient himself.

An infected tattoo is usually due to poor care; And it is that if you get the tattoo in a trusted studio and you take care of it correctly after its completion, the risk of it becoming infected is practically nil.

Symptoms of an infected tattoo

A tattoo that has been infected is relatively easy to diagnose since it presents a series of very clear symptoms.

• Inflammation: this occurs in practically 100% of the cases; it is the most noticeable symptom of all. The area around the tattoo takes on a reddish color and the skin looks irritated. Both symptoms can be normal after getting a tattoo; but when it becomes infected they increase its intensity.
• Pain: An infected tattoo causes great pain in the area. Although it is true that the pain after performing a tattoo is common, it should decrease with the passing of the hours; if all goes well it should disappear within 48 hours.
• Swelling: This is another of the common symptoms after getting a tattoo. And is that a tattoo is still a wound, so the following days it is common to notice some swelling in the area. However, if this swelling is excessive, to the point of beginning to deform the design itself, it is a red flag.
• Bad smell: an infected tattoo in the vast majority of cases gives rise to a most unpleasant smell. A clear indication that some harmful bacteria are invading the skin.
• Fever : without a doubt, fever is an indication that the body is suffering from an infection. In this case, it is important to request a medical consultation immediately.
• Secretion: one of the most characteristic symptoms of an infected tattoo and also one of the most serious. The color of the discharge can range from yellow to green.
• Red stripes: it is not a very frequent symptom, although it can occur. If the tattoo becomes infected, in some cases red streaks appear under the skin; they are traces of blood that in normal conditions should not be there.

How to cure a tattoo?

As we have pointed out, one of the main causes of an infection becoming infected is that it does not heal properly. Next we will tell you step by step how to cure a tattoo correctly.

The healing time of a tattoo depends largely on the design and size of the tattoo; not surprisingly, the larger it is, the longer it will take to heal.

1. Once the tattoo is finished, you must wait about four hours to perform the first cure. The first thing is that your hands are completely clean ; To do this, a good tip is to use a disinfectant gel.
2. To cure the tattoo you only need cold water and pH neutral soap , without any type of perfume or chemical component. Wash the area very well using only your hands; it is not advisable to use sponges or cloths.
3. Once the tattoo is clean, you should dry it very well with a clean cotton towel . You should not rub the area, but simply place the towel over the tattoo to absorb the water.
4. Finally, apply a healing cream , the one recommended by the tattoo artist.

Ideally, repeat this same procedure every eight hours for a week. Paying proper attention to the tattoo, you will see how as the days go by, the swelling and inflammation disappear. It is common for scabs to form, but in no case should you tear them off; Otherwise, you can remove some of the ink from the design and increase the risk of the wound becoming infected.

Tattoo care

Until the tattoo has completely healed, there are a number of tips that are worth keeping in mind.

• Bathing: during the 30 days after the tattoo is done, bathing in the pool, in the sea or in the river is not allowed. Of course, you can shower; You can do it even with the tattoo uncovered, but paying attention not to get too much soap on it.
• Sun: for a month it is not advisable to expose the tattoo to sunlight. Once the first month of life of the tattoo has passed, it is best to apply a cream with a protection factor of 50.
• Clothing: in terms of clothing, it is best to wear loose clothing in the area where you have made the tattoo to avoid constant friction.

What do you have to take into account before getting a tattoo?

Getting a tattoo is a very important matter as the design will remain etched on the skin forever. Thus, there are a number of basic precautions to take into consideration.

Establishment

First of all, you must be completely sure that the tattoo studio meets all hygienic and sanitary requirements . The facilities must be enabled to carry out tattoos, and have the necessary equipment; of course, cleanliness is essential.

Tattoo artist

Second, you should pay attention to both the training and the experience of the tattoo artist . You must pay attention to comply with the hygienic measures when making the tattoo.

Body zone

One of the most important decisions to make when betting on a certain tattoo has to do with the best area of ​​the body to do it. You must take into account two factors.

On the one hand, the result is not the same in all areas, either due to the characteristics of the skin or its exposure to external agents. For example, in the case of the hands, due to continuous rubbing, the tattoo can wear out over time.

And, on the other hand, that there are areas more painful than others; Generally, the ribs, spine, knee, instep, elbow, and clavicle are the most sensitive . Of course, it all also depends on your degree of tolerance to pain.

Conclution

The tattoos are now more fashionable than ever; both aesthetic designs that look great in any area of ​​the body. Of course, to show them off as they deserve, you must pay special attention to their care; Once the tattoo is done, you must cure it as we have indicated, and take into account the basic precautions. In this way, it will heal properly and you will not have to worry about anything.