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Tattooing is a form of body art that is usually used to express oneself. The artists use small, fine, and flat needles to inject the ink into the skin to make sure that it would not budge and that the tattoo idea would stay in the area forever.
These days, more and more people are getting tattoos. No matter where you are in the world, you will surely meet a person that has at least one tattoo on their body. Needless to say, tattooing is a very sensitive procedure and must be done the right way.
Tattoos, Infections, and Diseases
This is the reason why choosing a reputable and trusted tattoo artist is a must when planning on getting your tattoo done. You can easily get diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis if you decide to get your tattoo done with an unprofessional an untrained tattoo artist. A number of infections can also be contracted during an unhygienic session, which is why you must never choose cost over quality.
Do your research to see which artist you should visit to get your tattoo idea inked. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations, give the tattoo artist a visit, and decide for yourself if you think getting a piece from this artist is worth it.
Infections and Symptoms
There are lots of ways to know if you have a tattoo infection. It would be pretty obvious, as the symptoms will most likely appear on your skin as soon as you get it. Here are some of the symptoms that indicate that you have an infection:
- Redness – Redness is normal for a couple of days after getting your tattoo done. However, if it lasts for more than a week or so, then you should go ahead and see a doctor. They can give you immediate treatment and prescribe you with medicines that you should take to make the infection go away.
- Pain and Swelling – Pain and swelling are both normal after getting the tattoo, after all, you have just endured having several needles poking on your skin. The pain should go away after a couple of hours though, but it does not go away and it actually worsens, then it means that something is wrong. Let your tattoo artist know so they can tell you what to do next.
- Discharge – If you see any blood or pus coming out of your tattoo, then visit the emergency room ASAP. This is usually a sign of a severe infection and must be treated soon.
- Fever – Just like getting a discharge, fevers are usually a tell-tale sign of a severe infection. Your doctor will most probably prescribe you with an antibiotic to cure the infection.
How to Treat an Infected Tattoo
When it comes to treating an infection, you should never self-medicate. Visit your doctor and tell them all of the symptoms that you are experiencing. They will most likely prescribe you with a topical ointment as well as an oral antibiotic to treat the infection. You cannot buy these antibiotics and topical ointments without a prescription, which is why you should visit your doctor first to get a proper prescription. (See also: 7 Things You Need To Know About Tattoo Removal)
Tell your Tattoo Artists About it
Once you have confirmed that you indeed have an infection, you should go right away and tell your tattoo artist about it. Ask them if they have properly sanitized their equipment before using it to get your tattoo done. You should also ask them if they used a brand new needle when they did the tattoo. When it comes to tattooing, needles should be disposable. It can only be used on one person and after the session, it should immediately be thrown away.
You should definitely let your artist know about this incident so they won’t commit the same mistake once again.
How to Prevent Getting an Infection
Like we have said earlier, you should do your research and make sure that you come to the right place. You should also make sure to follow your artist’s aftercare instructions to make sure that you won’t contract any type of infection.
As what other people always say, prevention is always better than cure. Good luck and enjoy your brand new tattoo! (See also: Infographic: How to Remove a Tattoo Without Damage)
Takeaway/Summary
This helpful article discusses how tattoo enthusiasts should deal with a tattoo infection. You will learn how to prevent getting an infection after getting your tattoo. It will also discuss the symptoms that you will experience when you have a tattoo infection.
About The Author:
Jason has been an avid fan of tattoos for over 13 years now. He is currently 35 years old, and he got his first tattoo at the age of 22. Since then, he has added over 20 tattoos to his collection. He is also into writing, which is why he decided to celebrate both of his passion and hobby through tats ‘n’ rings. Jason dreams of having his very own tattoo parlor soon. Jason would be very happy to answer any questions about tattoos that you may have! Leave a comment below and he’ll answer it for you right away!
