Researchers have found that the pigments used in tattoos are generally well tolerated by the skin, according to the University of Hawaii. Several skin conditions, however, can be caused by tattoos and the process of applying them. These include the nearly universal acute inflammation response to the application process, the “red reaction,” infections that can be transmitted during the application process and allergic reactions to the chemical constituents of the pigments.
Acute Inflammation
When you get a tattoo, you can expect a bout of moderate to severe skin inflammation at the site of the tattoo. This is part of the body’s normal response to tissue injury and, in most people, it will settle down within a few weeks. During this time, the area around the tattoo will be highly sensitive and red in color. It is extremely important that you keep the area clean and apply antibiotic ointments as the skin heals. If you don’t, severe skin infections can occur, as well as the formation of unsightly–and tattoo-ruining–scars called keloids. With diligent care, the inflammation should clear up in a few weeks, according to the University of Hawaii.
The Red Reaction
People with tattoos commonly report a skin condition known as the red reaction, according to the California State University at Long Beach. It is characterized by itchiness, redness and swelling around the area of the tattoo where red ink was used. It usually occurs many years after the tattoo has been applied; it is often brought on by sunlight exposure. Continued exposure to sunlight worsens the condition. Normally, the red reaction will respond well to treatment with a special ointment, but, sometimes, the cases can be so severe as to require medical attention and removal of the tattoo.
Infections and Allergic Reactions
You can become infected with a transmissible disease during the tattoo application process, according to both the University of Hawaii and the California State University at Long Beach. Several of the diseases are skin infections. These include viral diseases, such as warts, caused by the human papillomavirus. Bacterial diseases can occur as well. Impetigo causes pus-filled sores and erysipelas causes general inflammation, redness, warm skin and several systemic symptoms. You can even catch a protozoan pathogen that causes Chagas disease, which can give you facial edema, among other serious and potential fatal symptoms. People also commonly experience allergic reactions to the pigments in a tattoo. These reactions frequently include the development of hives and eczema.
