What to do if your tattoo becomes infected

Tattooing is a fashionable behavior among young people. It can reflect personality and show off one's individuality. However, you should also pay attention to some precautions when getting a tattoo. If you do not pay attention to good care after the tattoo, it may even lead to infection, which will have a great impact on your health. Once an infection occurs, you should take anti-inflammatory drugs in time, such as amoxicillin, and also perform local anti-inflammatory treatments.

Things to note after getting a tattoo

1. After the tattoo is completed, the tattoo artist will apply a layer of ointment on you. Most tattoo shops use Vaseline or tattoo anti-inflammatory ointment. Function: Relieve skin damage caused by tattoos and avoid inflammation. 2. After applying the ointment to the tattoo site, the tattoo artist will wrap the tattoo site with plastic wrap, with appropriate tightness. Function: Prevent the tattoo with ointment from contacting the outside world and avoid infection

3. Remove the plastic wrap 4 hours after the tattoo is completed, please wash your hands first! Then clean the tattoo with warm water. You can use a mild, non-irritating shower gel or soap, gently circle and use the foam of the bath gel or soap to clean the tattoo, wash off all the slippery mucus, and clean it to the same level of cleanliness and dryness as the rest of the skin. Effect: The tattooed area will continue to exude tissue fluid, which also contains oil. Warm water and non-irritating bath products can be used to wash away the exuded mucus and prevent it from drying on the skin.

4. Use a clean towel (no lint) or paper towel (no paper scraps) to dry the tattoo. (If you have any ointment, apply a thin layer at this time. It is recommended for those with large tattoos or tattoos on joints.) Wrap the tattoo with new plastic wrap (household food plastic wrap can be used). Medical tape can be used to help fix the plastic wrap on flat areas. Effect: The damage to the tattoo will not heal immediately, and tissue fluid will continue to seep out after cleaning. In order to prevent it from sticking to clothes, it needs to be wrapped with plastic wrap. 5. Repeat the above steps every 5-6 hours within two days after tattooing until complete recovery. Tattoos that are small and easily exposed (such as behind the ears and on fingers) do not need to be wrapped in plastic wrap if they will not come into contact with clothing, but the frequency and cleanliness of washing must be guaranteed. Function: If tissue fluid adheres to clothing, the color of the tattoo will easily be removed when separated, so plastic wrap is needed to isolate it.

Dangers of tattoos

1. Infection

Many of the pigments used in tattoos are chemical substances. These chemicals can cause dermatitis and allergies when they enter the human body, resulting in local itching, pain, burning sensation, numbness, etc. Some can even cause cell mutations, which is a prelude to cancer.

2. Granuloma

These are small nodules that may form around foreign material from the body, such as wood scraps from tattoo paint.

3. Remove problem points

Despite advances in laser technology, tattoo removal is a labor-intensive process. Completely removing a tattoo without leaving scars may be impossible.

4. Allergic reaction

Although allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are extremely rare. They are especially troublesome when they occur, as these pigments are very difficult to remove. Rarely, a tattoo recipient may develop an allergic reaction that can last for several years.

5. Complications of MRI

There have been reports that people with tattoos or permanent tattoos may experience swelling or burning in the tattooed area when they undergo MRI. Although this appears to be a rare occurrence and has no apparent lasting effect.