Problems with a new tattoo
@katcarneo (1433)
Philippines
October 20, 2011 9:28pm CST
My boyfriend got a tattoo last Monday and although the image was really good (as what his excited friends had said) he's having some slight problems with it, apart from the fact that it hurts:
1. The part of his arm where the tattoo is smells bad.
2. The skin is flaking.
3. Today he found this pimple-like pustule with pus inside.
He puts Vandol cream on the tattoo as advised by his artist. Are the abovementioned normal?
Another big problem his tattoo is causing is that our sheets and pillows have got ink on them as the ink bleeds out of his arm when he sleeps.
Help will be appreciated.
11 responses
@ReverendShaggy (415)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
It is possible that the ink used on his tattoo has something he is allergic to hence the coming out, or it is just to shallow of a tattoo. The smell is a good indication of infection . Flaking skin is normal for healing but it depends on how bad it is flaking. The pimple like postule could be from using too much of the ointment, or an allergy to the ointment.
My experience is my brother is a tattoo artist and I have many tattoos myself.
He needs to go get it checked by a doctor, otherwise it could lead to very bad results. I hope this is helpful
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
I have just copy-pasted your response and sent it to him. He did tell me he might have been using too much of the cream and he saw online that he should only put a thin layer.
So you have many tattoos, too. Did you not experience such problems? I guess he really needs to see a doctor. And I need to start bleaching ink-stained sheets.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
Oh, I see. He said he'll stop using the cream. Friends who have tattoos have suggested baby oil and petroleum jelly. His tattoo artist said petroleum jelly could be bad. But I guess it ultimately depends on the person's body--his allergies, how well his antibodies fight infections, etc. I told him maybe you're just the type that doesn't heal quickly.
@ReverendShaggy (415)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
I had a problem with one because the ointment was foudn to be allergic for me because of a sensitivity to petroleum based products.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
I've told him the same, but apparently going to the doctor for a skin infection ruins the manly image. :-(
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
Right he had already asked me to bring home antibiotics as he would like to self-medicate.
@Galena (9110)
•
21 Oct 11
it does sound like it might have got a bit infected. so it's definitely worth seeing a doctor and getting some antibiotics.
if he just leaves it, the final image could be damaged, so getting it under control will be best for both him and the tattoo.
on an off chance, is he washing it? I have heard of people that, because you aren't supposed to soak a tattoo, think that means they can't wash them. but it's essential that you do keep them clean so washing them and then drying them gently helps prevent infections occurring.
but definitely, go to the doctor and see if he can get some antibiotics.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
25 Oct 11
Well, he didn't see a doctor but went ahead and took antibiotics. I know this is not right but over here people self-medicate all the time. He seems to be getting better.
Yes, he washes the tattoo. One friend of his who has tattoos told him he shouldn't, but his tattoo artist said it's okay, so there. As of today the tattoo looks quite normal now and he doesn't feel much pain. Also, the bad smell has gone away.
@starrose_ara (784)
• Philippines
23 Oct 11
It is time to go to the doctor there is signs of infection maybe from the use of the needle or other not sterilized instruments plus the ink that was use for the tattoo. The tattoo artist has limited knowledge about such infection and may advice you something that can work for minor irritations but not to the level that you described. This is why I prefer henna or sticker tattoo because they do not hurt and cause no irritation and can be remove and replace as often as you like.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
26 Oct 11
As of writing this, his tattoo seems to be healing normally, so thanks anyway for the advice. I was assured that the needles used were new and sterilized, so I'm taking his word for it.
It's fun to get sticker or henna tattoos at times, but my boyfriend wanted a real one although he didn't have any specific reason why. He just wanted to.
@rmendoza123 (637)
• Philippines
22 Oct 11
This is not a normal situation, your boyfriend got infected. You better consult an specialist before it will get serious.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
26 Oct 11
Thank you for your concern. Fortunately, it didn't get serious and now he appears to be healing well.
@clearwater18 (695)
• Philippines
23 Oct 11
You should let your boyfriend see a doctor to be really sure. Maybe that is already an infection. When he gets a tattoo next time, make sure all the materials like the needles used are new and not used. Those used needles are not safe because maybe the previous user might have some sort of sickness.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
26 Oct 11
@clearwater Yes I was very worried about the needles but I was assured new ones would be used.
@bounce Thanks for the advice. He refused to see a doctor and good thing he is better.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
24 Oct 11
It sounds like an infection! Is the artist that did his tattoo a reputable one? Could he have used not-so-clean equipment?
I guess that's one drawback of getting inked. You could never know what reactions you would get after it's done.
I hope it gets better.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Sounds like he developed an infection and he should not hesitate to see a doctor. I see from your comment that perhaps it will ruin the tattoo, but the smartest thing to do is get some treatment for it as an infection can get worse.
It could be he developed an allergic reaction and being that it is oozing he does not want to take chances on it getting worse. Best of luck to him and maybe the treatment might just be an antibiotic.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
21 Oct 11
He had already asked me to buy him antibiotics. People sometimes like to self-medicate. :-( I'm pretty sure I can't convince him to see the doctor. He will insist on taking antibiotics without prescription. I hope it just heals like how the tattoos of his other friends did.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
27 Oct 11
I think you boyfriend has infected and he need immediate treatment or consultation from a qualified doctor.
Once you have tattooed, you can not wash it away.
This is the disadvantage I dislike.
Think twice before we tattoo and this is the consequences we have to suffer.
@chillmaik (67)
• Philippines
23 Oct 11
it could be a skin infection he needs to go to a doctor for antibiotics..pus is a sign of infection and the smell is due to the pus..if he is having fever its a sign of infection too,,,
@mytime08161983 (75)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
first of all it is natural that the skin will be flaky but not to the extreme just minimal and yeah it hurts too but for the bad smell it shouldnt be that way, if that is the case maybe the tats is infected cause it should have any bad smell, he needs to consult a dermatologist if that is the case. good luck
