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Tattoo Infection: Tips for

Identification and
Treatment
Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD,
FAAFP — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on
June 10, 2021

Identification Pictures Staph infection

Treatment See a doctor Outlook
Prevention

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Tattoos are an increasingly common sight. Around

4 in 10 Americans now have one or more tattoos.

Tattoos are also becoming less controversial in

the workplace in many industries. You may see
several co-workers, your boss, or executive
management sporting visible tattoos, even in a
traditional office environment.

The popularity of tattoos may convince you that

they aren’t all that risky to get. But getting a tattoo
does carry some risk: Inserting an ink-covered
needle into your skin has the potential to
introduce foreign matter or infections into your
body.

Getting a tattoo from a person or a shop that

doesn’t properly clean their tools — or provide
you with instructions for keeping your fresh tattoo
clean — can lead to skin conditions, infections, or
other health problems.

Here’s what you need to know about recognizing

a possible infection, treating the affected area,
and more.

How to identify an infected tattoo

The most common symptom of a tattoo infection
is a rash or red, bumpy skin around the area of
the tattoo.

In some cases, your skin may just be irritated

because of the needle, especially if you have
sensitive skin. If this is the case, your symptoms
should fade after a few days.

But if these symptoms continue for a week or

more, see your tattoo artist or doctor.

See your doctor if you experience one or more of

the following:

fever

waves of heat and cold

abnormal shivering

swelling of the tattooed area

pus coming out of the area

red lesions around the area

red streaking from the area

areas of hard, raised tissue

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Is staph infection likely?

A staph infection is one type of infection you
might get with a tattoo. Although these infections
are treatable, staph bacteria can often develop
resistance to regular antibiotics, making
prescription treatments ineffective.

Staph bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can also get into
your bloodstream and internal organs. When this
happens, other conditions can develop, such as
sepsis, arthritis, and toxic shock syndrome.

Some common symptoms of staph infection

include:

aches or pains in your bones or muscles

fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or more

swelling of the infected area

extreme thirst

sores in the infected area, filled with pus or

fluid

impetigo (a honey-crusted rash)

See your doctor immediately or go to the

emergency room if you have any of these
symptoms after getting a tattoo.
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How to treat an infected tattoo

Minor bumps and rashes can usually be managed
at home with antibacterial ointment, proper
cleaning, and rest.

If you’re experiencing an infection, treatment

depends on the cause. Your doctor may take a
swab of the area or lance a pus pocket (if one is
present) to see what bacteria or virus is causing
the infection.

In most cases, your doctor can prescribe an

antibiotic to help stop the infection. In severe
cases of infection, antibiotic treatments may last
for weeks or months.

If your infection was caused by MRSA bacteria,

antibiotics may not be beneficial. If MRSA causes
an abscess, your doctor may drain it instead of
giving you antibiotics.

In rare cases of infection, surgery may be

required. If your tissue has died due to the
infection (necrosis), surgery may be needed to
remove it.

Persistent, sometimes itchy, and painful bumps in

your tattoo may be signs of an atypical
mycobacterial infection. This requires long-term
antibiotic treatment.

Shop for antibacterial ointment.

When to see a doctor

If you begin to feel feverish and experience
abnormal oozing or scabbing around the tattooed
area, see a doctor. These are common signs of
infection. You should also see a doctor if a rash or
swelling lasts for more than a week.

If an infection isn’t treated soon enough or can’t

be treated properly because the bacteria have
become resistant to an antibiotic, abscesses can
result. Removal may require special treatment in
the clinic or hospital.

You should also see a doctor if you experience

uncomfortable itching around the tattooed area or
if the area is oozing pus or fluid. You may be
having an allergic reaction to the ink.

An allergic reaction can also lead to anaphylactic

shock. This causes your throat to close up and
your blood pressure to become dangerously low.
Go to the emergency room right away if this kind
of allergic reaction occurs.
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The outlook
Tattoo infections are usually easy to treat and
even easier to prevent. Most infections can be
treated within a week with antibiotics. However,
some infections can be very serious and require
long-term antibiotics or other medications.

Learning how to choose a good tattoo artist and

take care of your tattoo are crucial to making sure
that your tattoo heals well, doesn’t get infected,
and looks the way you want it to.

Bad infections may result in long-term antibiotic

care, but usually they won’t cause any long-lasting
health problems. However, though rare, it’s
possible to get a condition such as hepatitis or
HIV from a tattoo needle. In these cases, you
might require more intensive, long-term treatment.

How to prevent tattoo infection

Before getting a tattoo, find out if you’re allergic to
any ingredients in tattoo ink. Make sure you ask
your tattoo artist what ingredients their inks
contain. If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients,
ask for a different ink or avoid getting a tattoo
altogether. However, keep in mind that it may be
difficult to know what exactly is in tattoo inks as
they aren’t regulated in any way.

Make sure that all items that touch your skin have
been properly sterilized. Don’t feel shy about
asking the parlor about how they sterilize their
instruments and meet safety standards. It’s your
health!

Other things to consider before getting a tattoo

include:

Is the tattoo parlor licensed? Licensed

parlors have to be inspected by a health
agency and meet certain safety
requirements in order to stay open.

Is the tattoo parlor reputable? It’s worth

visiting a few tattoo parlors before you
decide to get a tattoo to see how
trustworthy the parlor is. Reading reviews
online or hearing about the shop through
word-of-mouth are good ways to gauge how
safe the shop is.

Does your potential tattoo artist follow

safety procedures? Your tattoo artist should
use a new, sterilized needle every time they
start a tattoo. They should also wear gloves
at all times.

If your tattoo artist gave you instructions on how

to take care of your tattoo, follow those
instructions closely. If they didn’t provide you with
clear guidelines afterward, give them a call. They
should be able to provide you with aftercare
information.

In general, you should do the following to make

sure the area heals properly:

1. Remove the bandage 3 to 5 hours after

you’ve gotten the tattoo.

2. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and

water.

3. Use a clean, dry washcloth or paper towel to

pat the area (to dry it and to remove blood,
serum, or excess pigment).

4. Let the area air-dry for a few minutes. Don’t

rub it dry — this can damage the skin.

5. Put an ointment (not a lotion), such as

Vaseline, on the area. Dab off the excess.

6. Repeat these steps about 4 times a day for

at least 4 days.

Shop for petroleum jelly.

Once the tattooed area starts to form into scabs,

use a moisturizer or lotion to keep your skin from
getting too dry or damaged. Don’t scratch or pick
at the skin. This can cause the area to heal
improperly, which may make you more
susceptible to infections.

Read this article in Spanish.

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Last medically reviewed on June 10, 2021

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