Things to consider

It’s normal to notice irritation or swelling after getting inked. But tattoo reactions can go beyond simple irritation. Skin can swell, itch, and ooze with pus.

Most allergic reactions are tied to certain inks. This hypersensitivity often presents as contact dermatitis or photosensitivity.

You can usually treat mild cases at home. But if your symptoms persist — or are more severe from the start — you’ll need to see a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Read on to find out what symptoms to watch for, how to tell the difference between an allergy and an infection, your options for treatment, and more.

How to identify an allergic reaction

Allergy symptoms vary by severity. Some are simply skin-deep and resolve in a few days.

Mild allergic reactions can cause:

• itching
• rashes or bumps
• redness or irritation
• skin flaking
• swelling or fluid buildup around tattoo ink
• scaly skin around tattoo
• skin tags or nodules

More severe reactions can affect your entire body. See a doctor or other healthcare provider if you begin to experience:

• intense itching or burning around the tattoo
• pus or drainage oozing from the tattoo
• hard, bumpy tissue
• chills or hot flashes
• fever

Seek emergency medical help if you develop swelling around your eyes or have difficulty breathing.

What’s the difference between an allergy and an infection?

Although the symptoms are often similar, there are a few key differences that may help you distinguish between the two.

Allergic reaction

These symptoms only affect the skin near your tattoo. Think localized itching, burning, swelling, and redness. You shouldn’t have any allover symptoms.

If the ink is to blame, your symptoms will only appear around the offending pigment. Red ink is the most common allergen.

Often, your symptoms will only last for a few days. In some cases, symptoms may last for a few weeks before disappearing entirely.

Infection

Infection can also cause redness, irritation, and itching, but these symptoms typically extend beyond the tattooed area.

Surface symptoms may be present in addition to those that affect your entire body, such as fever or chills.

Infection symptoms also tend to last much longer — anywhere from a few days to a week or more.

Are there different types of reactions to tattoos?

Not all tattoo reactions are the same. Your reaction could result from:

• an immune system response
• a skin condition
• overexposure to light or other allergens

Acute inflammatory reactions

You don’t have to be allergic to the ink or other materials to have reactions to tattoos. Sometimes, the process itself can irritate your skin.

Many people experience mild redness, swelling, and itching after getting a tattoo. These symptoms typically clear up within a couple of weeks.

Photosensitivity

The ingredients in certain inks can react with sunlight or other bright lights. This can cause swelling, redness, and itchy bumps.

Yellow, black, red, and blue inks are the most common offenders.

Dermatitis

If you’re allergic to the ink itself, you may develop symptoms of contact dermatitis. This includes swelling, itching, and flaking.

Contact dermatitis is often associated with red inks.

Granulomas

A number of ink ingredients are known to cause granulomas, or red bumps. These ingredients include:

• mercury salts
• iron oxides
• cobalt chloride
• manganese

Overall, they’re most commonly tied to red inks.

Lichenoid reactions

A lichenoid reaction happens when small, discolored bumps appear around where the ink was injected. It’s most common with red inks.

These bumps aren’t usually irritating or itchy, but they can appear beyond the area where ink was injected.

Pseudolymphomatous reactions

If your symptoms don’t immediately appear after getting your tattoo, you may be experiencing a pseudolymphomatous reaction. It’s usually in response to red inks.

In these cases, rash, red skin growths, or other irritation may not appear for  afterward.

The summer isn’t over yet! If you’re one of the many Glossies to have a tattoo and you’re soon jetting off on your sunny getaway, then you should read these top tips. Here’s how to protect a tattoo in the sun…

Why Do I Need To Protect A Tattoo In The Sun?

To cut a long story short, you need to protect your tattoo in the sun to prevent it from fading. Though fading over time is inevitable, exposure to the sun speeds up that process quite considerably.

In fact, did you know that UV rays are the biggest threat to your tattoos? The sun can cause the ink to break down, making it lose its vibrancy, colour and shape.

How Do I Protect A Tattoo In The Sun?

You should consequently think of your tattoo as an extension of your skin. In the same way that you protect your skin from sun damage to maintain its elasticity and youthful appearance, you need to protect your tattoo to keep it looking fresh. Here’s how…

·         Apply And Re-Apply SPF

It goes without saying that if UV rays are the biggest threat to your tattoo, then you need to apply SPF over it. Make sure you use at least an SPF 30 (though 50 is preferable!) and generously re-apply it every couple of hours.

·         Stay In The Shade

Of course, if you really want to protect your tattoo, it is best to avoid direct sun exposure altogether. Just stay in the shade when possible and take a beach umbrella with you to the pool.

·         Keep Your Tattoo Covered

I realise that you may not want to spend the day in the shade if you’ve spent a lot of money on a sunny holiday, though. In that case, wearing a layer of clothing over your tattoo is best.

It adds an extra layer of protection and helps to shield your tattoo in the sun. Something light will do the trick and still allow your skin to breathe!

How Do I Protect A New Tattoo In The Sun?

If you’ve only recently had your tattoo done, it is even more important to look after it correctly. Make sure that you follow your tattoo artists’ every aftercare instructionand never expose a healing tattoo to direct sunlight.

·         Don’t apply SPF – Keep It Covered Instead!

A healing tattoo is essentially like a healing wound. You really don’t want to apply sun cream onto it. Instead, make sure you always keep it covered with clothing or religiously stay in the shade.

·         Don’t Go Swimming

From chlorine to saltwater to all the bacteria and dirt found in water, swimming is a no-go when you have a new tattoo. It’s not worth the risk of getting an infection and distorting your tattoo.

My advice? Wait until your tattoo artist has explicitly told you that your tattoo is healed and that you can go swimming before diving in.

·         Treat Sunburns Immediately

If your new tattoo does get sunburnt (because let’s face it, it could happen unintentionally) you need to take immediate action. Head straight to the doctors so that they can offer adequate medical help. You don’t want the sunburnt wound to get infected or develop a rash!

And there you have it, the rules of thumb to help you protect a tattoo in the sun. If you’ve only just got inked, then make sure that you ask your tattoo artist about sun-specific aftercare instructions and consult a doctor if necessary.