Tattooing

In tattooing, the tattoo pigment is forcefully injected into the skin's dermal layer. The pigment then disperses, and after a series of healing activities by the skin layers, the pigment gets entrapped into the skin cells. Tattooing involves needles and may cause related issues like HIV transmission, skin diseases, allergies, keloid formation, etc. Therefore, intense hygienic methods and an expert's advice before the procedure need to be adopted to prevent such problems.

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I developed hives on my tattoo. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, When I was younger, I was allergic to everything. Now, I have been suffering from pollen allergy syndrome and fairly bad seasonal allergies. Three months ago, I got my first tattoo. It looks beautiful and healed wonderfully. After getting a tattoo, I noticed seven hives on my legs on the ...  Read Full »


Dr. Amol Kumar Wasudeorao Diwan

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Pollen allergy syndrome is a very common manifestation due to allergy to allergens like pollen, raw fruits, vegetables or some tree nuts. The immune system recognizes the pollen as foreign substance and directs an allergic response to it. The symptoms are usually itch...  Read Full »

I repeatedly have infections after having tattooing done. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, Last year, I was repeatedly getting infections. I got typhoid, flu, and pneumonia. My concern was exactly nine and a half years ago, and I had tattooing done. Right from that, I have been experiencing everyday troubles. Past five years, I am forgetting everything and have had severe in...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder K. Manchanda

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Please let me know the following questions: What all other symptoms do you have besides weight loss and weakness? Have you got tested for Hepatitis B and C also? If so, please send the reports.   Read Full »

Can a tattoo be removed without injury to the skin?

Query: Hello doctor, Tattoo removal, can tattoo be removed without injury to the skin or creating a scar? I have gone for two sessions for laser treatment for tattoo removal, and each time there were multiple pinhole injuries, and the tattoo has not faded even a single bit. Is this treatment I am receivin...  Read Full »


Dr. Vikram Kumar Raja

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Tattoo removal by a laser that is Q-switch laser causes these pinpoint spots as you have sent (attachment removed to protect patient identity). This is a normal phenomenon after laser. But it does not usually create scar if done correctly. Also, it would take at least ...  Read Full »

I have acute pericarditis. Will getting a tattoo cause any harmful effects on me?

Query: Hi doctor, I am 19 years old, and I seem to have had acute pericarditis for about two months now. I am currently on Colchicine and Ibuprofen for a little over three weeks. I am also taking iron supplements for mild anemia. I have a tattoo appointment tomorrow, and I wanted to ensure I can get it as ...  Read Full »


Dr. Isaac Gana

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You must be very careful because there is always a slight chance of getting some infection after getting a tattoo. Have you taken your hepatitis vaccine? Was your pericarditis treated with antibiotics? Or was it said to have been caused by fungi?  Read Full »

What are some of my yellow and green tattoos itchy, hard, and bumpy?

Query: Hi doctor, I am concerned about my tattoo placed before two months back. I have five tattoos with different colors such as blue, yellow, red, green, and purple. I have itching on my yellow and green tattoos from time to time and it lasts for two weeks. It subsides eventually for five to eight days ...  Read Full »


Dr. Suvina Attavar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Itchiness and thickening over tattoos indicate a couple of things. As these are occuring over colored pigments, there is a high chance for you to have tattoo granuloma. It means that the colored pigments have caused a foreign body reaction in your skin. If topical stero...  Read Full »

Do I need medical attention after poking myself with a dirty tattoo needle and ink contaminated with pigskin?

Query: Hello doctor,I poked myself with a dirty needle and dirty tattoo ink. Both were cross-contaminated with raw pigskin. Do I need medical attention?  Read Full »


Dr. Penchilaprasad Kandikattu

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You need not worry but do not neglect at the same time. I would suggest having a TT (tetanus toxoid) injection as vaccination prophylaxis. Check for any swelling or rash and secondary bacterial infections. Start antibiotics if there is any local swelling and pus format...  Read Full »

How long should I wait to donate blood after getting a tattoo?

Query: Hi doctor, I got a tattoo before five months. A blood donation drive is going to happen by next month. Am I eligible to donate blood? How long should a tattooed person wait to donate blood?  Read Full »


Dr. Prakash H. M

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: If it is from a professional tattoo artist and the needle was changed, then you can donate after a week. We are only worried about allergic reactions. If you are not sure, then deferral period is usually six months. After tha...  Read Full »

I got a tattoo with used needles. Am I at risk of HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I made a tattoo almost six months back. Even at the time of receiving tattoo, the artist used multiple needles in which I saw changing few and missed some. I asked him about needle changing to which he said he did. My concern is what are the chances of contracting HIV in worst-case sc...  Read Full »


Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Needle can transmit HIV only if the needle was freshly used in another person send the amount of blood collected in the needle is significant. This is because the HIV virus dies very quickly outside the body. In my opinion, the odds of transferring HIV infection in ...  Read Full »

What are the chances of an epidermal prick while tattooing getting infected?

Query: Hi doctor, Four days ago I visited a tattoo shop. It is a small one and I think he will do only temporary ones. Suddenly, I got a hit on the backside of my right thumb. I stopped him as he did not change the needle. Little piercing was done till my epidermis of skin. I am scared. What should I do no...  Read Full »


Dr. Naik Dessai Gauri Govind

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There are lot of medical issues which can occur from tattooing like HIV infection, tetanus, hepatitis B and C and allergic reactions. Nowadays tattooists reduced such risks by following universal precautions, working with single use items, and sterilizing their equip...  Read Full »

How to cure a scar caused due to burning the tattoo with slaked lime and washing soda?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a tatto. I was bad and due to embarrassment I burned it with slaked lime and washing soda, it now swelled up. It is five months now when I burned it with slaked lime and washing soda. Please tel me the right way to cure this. What medicines I have to take? What is the cost? I am...  Read Full »


Dr. Shaunak Patel

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your problem, but you have got a hypertrophied scar. Scar remolding process can continue to take place months after the real injury. In your case, burning with soda and slaked lime. It could be active but you can halt the activity by visiting the dermato...  Read Full »

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