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.
