Introduction
Quick Navigation
Before you agree to get a tattoo, the rule is that you learn what you need to know about how to care for your tattoo. You know what to expect, and you want to go to a reputable tattoo artist. You want to make sure that you talk to customers who received tattoos from the parlor you are looking to have yours. Or, if you are unsure of which tattoo parlor to go for the work, ask around. Read reviews. And you can make your decision that way.
However, after you go for your ink session, don’t be surprised if the tattoo is itchy, and you see it raised after healing. This issue often happens during allergy season, but not always. There are various reasons for this to occur, and some of those reasons are not worrisome, and others are. Let’s go over the reasons your tattoo becomes itchy and raised after healing.
Allergies
After you have your body art session and healing, the itching and raising of the tattoo could be due to allergies. An allergic reaction to ink often occurs, especially when there is red and yellow ink. Sometimes if cheap ink creates body art, that means the ingredients in it can cause an allergic reaction a week after the session. That is one reason not to settle for a cheap job as higher quality ink is a lot less likely to cause this problem.
If there is an allergic reaction to a specific color, you will see a raising of the areas containing that color part of the tattoo. Topical treatments for allergies are available for this situation, and you can get a prescription if necessary. However, if the allergy is severe, where you are experiencing a lot of swelling, rashes, and pain, your doctor will tell you to have a tattoo removal to stop the allergic reaction. Extreme allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis, which can be quite deadly if it occurs without prompt treatment.
However, for mild cases of itching from a tattoo, a hydrocortisone one percent cream will bring you the relief you seek. You can get this cream at any drugstore. If OTC creams don’t help, you can get a prescription from your dermatologist.
Weather Conditions
If you are experiencing irritation from tattoos, then the weather can also be to blame for it. Some people experience the itching during the summer as the humidity and rise in temperature are culprits. On the flip side, others experience the irritation during the winter because of the dry and cold environment.
Dry skin is a culprit for rashes; however, if the pigment beneath the skin has exposure to the cold air, it will cause further irritation and dry skin. It is essential to keep your skin moisturized if this is a problem. Another thing to consider when it comes to getting a tattoo, going for them on moderate days during the spring or the fall, is ideal. It will reduce the chances of extreme irritation and itching anyway.
Regardless of the temperature, you will want to avoid going to places where you have a lot of UV exposure. You don’t want to deal with sunburns after getting a tattoo. The solution for this is to take sunscreen with moisturizer before heading anywhere that requires you to stay in the sun for prolonged periods.
Infections
Sometimes raised tattoos that cause itching and discomfort can be signs of infections. If you experience this, you do not want to self-diagnose having an illness. If it is bothering you a lot, then make an appointment with a dermatologist who can properly diagnose an infection of the skin. Dermatologists can look at where the ratio of the areas that appear problematic such as the areas of raised tattoos and the colors involved. They will want to know if the irritation happened shortly after the session, or if it happened days later, months later, or even years later.
They will determine whether the bump is hard or soft and can evaluate the lesion as well. The dermatologist can also decide that there is a requirement for a biopsy of the area. They do so for the sake of making a diagnosis. Suppose you receive the diagnosis of an infection. In that case, you must follow their instructions for treating it as you will have a prescription of antibiotics in oral or topical form or both.
Be sure to take your full dosage of antibiotics. Even if you feel better, you are no longer itchy, and the tattoo appears normal. The total dosage must be in your system for it to take full effect.
Skin Conditions
After you receive a tattoo and experience discomfort from it, you could have a skin condition that you had no awareness of until after your session. The reason you discovered it now was because your skin condition worsened from the tattoo. The condition could be mild such as having mild eczema or dry skin.
However, this requires a trip to your dermatologist. That does not mean you have to remove your tattoo, causing even more problems in this case. You will need to have your skin examined, and your dermatologist can give you recommendations for the type of lotions and creams to use to treat the condition with the tattoo.
Your Body Chemistry Reacts To The Tattoo
Anything can trigger discomfort in your tattoo location, such as taking a shower, running around, or doing any strenuous work. These things cause changes in your blood pressure, adrenaline, and your body temperature. Even changing your diet can affect you. If you experience discomfort after doing particular activities, make a note of it.
These activities cause changes within your body chemistry, affecting how you respond to your new tattoo. You may want to change the type of activities you do. Perhaps instead of taking hot showers, take lukewarm showers. If you make that change, you might find that the discomfort disappears.
Conclusion
You are excited about getting that tattoo you have always wanted. However, your excitement disappears when you are experiencing itching, and you notice that you have a raised tattoo, which is not appealing for looks. There are several reasons for this situation to occur. You will want to make an appointment with a dermatologist‘ if the itching is troubling you and experiencing another discomfort, such as pain.
However, be mindful as well that you could have an allergic reaction or an infection. If you feel sicker as time goes on, you will need to go for prompt treatment. Never ignore discomfort and abnormalities from a tattoo, regardless of the severity.