Hi,I’m in the UK and I’ve been getting tattooed on and off for about 12 years now, several artists but mostly by the one guy. He has tattooed a large black forearm piece on me a couple of months ago, plus some script and recolouring on an upper arm that has all healed perfectly. About 5 weeks ago he reworked some black on my upper arm and it developed heavy scabbing, cracking and oozing green stuff. It eventually healed but theres some scarring that needs further work and at the moment a lot of white scar tissue. We put it down to me working as it was on the peak of the bicep. However, just to be sure he bought new ink. He always uses Micky Sharpz inks which have a good reputation.
Last week I started a new lower sleeve with lots of black banding. After two days I noticed my hand had swollen somewhat and my wrist was painful but I put it down to heavy work very near my wrist bone and perhaps a nerve had got “buzzed”.Bleeding was minimal and afterwards exudations were low as well.Two days after that the whole thing erupted and cracked oozing green stuff everywhere. I should point out that it was painful!
The skin itself seems to be leathery and the eruptions went down almost to the flesh. It’s almost like a pie crust and the whole thing brewed up underneath before letting go. Doctor has prescribed antibiotics.
I have a lot more work to do on my arm. My tattooist is worried about it but can’t figure out what’s going wrong and I’m loathe to sit for anymore until I sort out the problem. His hygiene procedures appear correct and I have cared for my tattoos all the same.
Pics 1 and 2 show some of the problem. In pic 3 it hasn’t fully erupted and is actually healing normally in one part.
Thoughts please?
Hi
I have seen this before on several occasions and there is usually a collection of reasons that cause it.
Things to consider are;
Is your skin being overworked? Heavy sessions can cause the skin to tear and/or inflame forcing the pigment out so the artist has to work harder to so the design does not look spotty.
This can result in heavy scabbing and ‘pie crust’ effect.
(Solution is to shorten sessions to 2-3 hours and spread them out over longer periods and leave 2 weeks between each session).
Also primary and secondary infections.
If you have had a cold or food poisoning or some other illness the immune system is under strain. Get a tattooed the immune system is put on overload allowing secondary infection to get in and cause swelling, splitting, oozing and general nastiness that needs to be monitored for blood poisoning.
Another factor (although rare) is environmental pollution either in the studio or your work place. Keep the arm sterile wrapped (change twice a day) if it is oozing or cracking as any dirt or germs will seep in.
Also if on antibiotics avoid any further ink for 6 weeks as takes this long for your skin to heal inside for your white blood cells to replenish.
Dodgy ink/Pigment rejection
Quite rare for black pigment as it usually contains
Black – Iron Oxide, Carbon (soot), Magnetite crystals, Powdered jet, Wustite (mineral compound found in raw iron), Bone black, (burned bone used very rarely in modern tattoo ink manufacture) and Amorphous Carbon (graphite).
Usually graphite which is inert but you could be allergic to iron oxide esp if there is a lot of it – can result in a heavy scab as a metal foreign body but is not toxic in the sense of some chemicals such as cadmium.
My advice is gently moisturise the tattoo keep it very clean and continue the course of antibiotics.
Wait 6 weeks for a new session and then shorten the length and amount of work done and see if any difference.
If it happens again the antibiotics might not work on the second time.
Take care
Matthew
Hi Matthew and thanks for such a detailed reply.
On consideration and reflection I was nursing a troublesome cold whilst being tattooed so it would appear my immune system was compromised leading to infection.
I am pretty careful with new tattoos but no-one is perfect so it’s probable germs got in and my already overworked immune system couldn’t hack it.
The ink was applied during a 3 hour session and was on virgin skin. The same guy has tattooed me for hours and hours before with no problems so I doubt it is technique etc.
A few more questions if possible:
how long to wait before having a fresh piece of skin on the SAME arm tattooed? Make sure all the infection has gone first to minimise the risk of cross infection?
what to moisturise with whilst the skin heals? I am currently using savlon to help fight the infection but also have some Dr Organic aloe vera based mosituriserif necessary. When to stop using savlon?
how long to moisturise? do I do it until all the scabs fall off?
Dressings – normally I don’t wear dressings. I just cover with loose clothing, wash once a day in the shower with anti bac soap, air dry for 1 hour then apply Bepanthan. What sort do you recommend? melanin dressings, plain bandage?
Thanks for your help, Chaz.
Hi Chaz
I tend to use a light coating of savlon for the first 3-4 days then swap to a non-scented moisturiser aloe is good for the skin.
I would suggest a light coating 2-3 times a day until the scabs drop off – I tend to use moisturiser anyway on my tatts even after they have healed.
The dressing is really only if you are working in a dirty environment and the scab has cracked – as you don’t want dirt getting into it.
Likje you under normal circumstances I don’t use a dressing after the first 24 hours but I would suggest a light bandage (non stick) and don’t bind too tightly just enough to keep grit and dirt out if the scab have cracked.
Needs changing daily if you do this. Also if the scabs have sealed up a bandage is not necessary only if cracked or oozing.
It will all sort out in the long run – I have had a session that went like this on backpiece (on the red body of my dragon was like I had crispy leprosy) but it healed up ok. I had a cold and against betetr judgement pushed on and got inked and prob touched it with my hands letting germs in.
It is easily done.
Take care
Matthew
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