You can tell if your tattoo is infected by checking for symptoms like a fever, pain, pus, redness, and swelling. Treatment to prevent complications may include antibiotics.

How Can a Tattoo Get Infected?

A tattoo artist uses a needle to prick the skin and inject ink. This is the same process for permanent makeup, a type of tattoo applied to look like eyeliner, lip liner, or eyebrows.

It's possible to develop a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection after getting a tattoo in several ways:

• If the tattoo provider doesn't practice proper hygienic protocols or uses unsterilized equipment.
• If the ink contains bacteria, mold, or other microorganisms, which can happen even if the container is sealed or the label says the ink is sterile.
• If the water the tattoo artist uses to dilute the ink's pigment isn't sterile.
• If your skin is not thoroughly cleaned before the tattoo process starts.
• If you're using a “do-it-yourself” tattoo ink and kit.1

It's also possible to develop an infection during, either from improper wound cleaning or by contracting an infection while your skin is healing from the tattoo.2

What Does an Infected Tattoo Look Like?

Your skin goes through a normal healing process after getting tattooed. During this time, it's common to experience mild symptoms like itchiness, soreness, swelling, and skin flaking or scabbing.3 Your tattoo artist should tell you what to expect from the healing process.

If something in the tattooing process caused an infection, you may notice any of the following signs or symptoms on the skin around the tattooed area:4533

• A rash that can be itchy with scaly, raised, or swollen bumps
• Excessive redness or discoloration, where the skin beneath the tattoo becomes darker instead of lightening as it heals
• Pus that oozes from blisters on the skin
• Open sores that may crust
• Pain that seems to be getting worse
• Skin that feels warm to the touch on and around the tattooed area

You may also notice other general signs of infection, which can include:567

• Fever
• Chills and shivering
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Drowsiness

Depending on the type of infection, symptoms of an infected tattoo can develop within days of getting a tattoo or take weeks or months.6

It's important to keep a close eye on your tattoo during the immediate healing process and beyond to spot an infection and get necessary treatment as soon as possible.

How Do You Get a Tattoo Infection Diagnosed?

Skin changes after a tattoo don't necessarily mean an infection; it could also be an allergic reaction or a flare-up of a skin disease.

This is why it's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis of your skin changes.3

During this appointment, the healthcare provider may ask about your symptoms and how long they've been present. They'll likely perform a physical exam.4

The provider may also order lab tests, such as a skin culture or blood test, to help determine whether you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

Tattoo-related infections are usually bacterial. Several types of bacterial infections can be contracted through the tattoo process. Bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause infections like cellulitis, which can lead to swelling, redness, and pain.891011

Viral infections are rarer but can include molluscum contagiosum (a poxvirus infection), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).1213

Less commonly, a fungal infection may develop, with documented cases of ringworm (tinea corporis) stemming from a tattoo.14

How Do You Treat an Infected Tattoo?

Most tattoo-related infections remain localized and manageable at the skin's surface.1513

Some mild skin infections may clear up fairly quickly with topical ointments or short-term oral antibiotics. More serious infections might require a longer course of medical treatment.16

The specific treatment options a healthcare provider would recommend depend on the type of infection and its severity. Treatment options might involve:1010

• Topical medications, like an antibiotic ointment for a bacterial infection or an antifungal cream for a fungal infection
• Oral medications, such as antibiotics to help clear a bacterial infection, antivirals to manage a viral infection, or corticosteroids to reduce swelling in some cases
• Intravenous (IV) medications given in a hospital setting to treat a severe or stubborn infection
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen), to help ease any discomfort
• Medical procedures to help drain pus from an infected area

Knowing the brand, color, and lot or batch number of the ink might help determine what caused the infection and how to best treat it. You can get this information by contacting the tattoo artist.1

How Can You Prevent a Tattoo Infection?

There are some steps experts recommend taking to help prevent the chances of contracting an infection before, during, or after the tattoo experience:1718

• Check with your state or local health department to inquire about a particular studio or tattoo artist's license or registration. You can also inquire about any complaints filed against the shop or artist.
• Ask the tattoo artist or shop owner about their disinfecting and sterilization processes, including the use of sterilization equipment.
• Make sure that the tattoo artist wears new gloves and uses a brand-new, sterile needle for each tattoo session.

After the tattoo is complete, practice proper skin aftercare to minimize the chances of an infection. Make sure to:192021

• Wash your hands before touching a healing tattoo.
• Follow the bandage-and-cleaning aftercare instructions the tattoo artist provides.
• Use plain liquid antibacterial soap to gently cleanse the area, then lightly pat dry with a clean paper towel.
• Moisturize the skin with a small amount of unscented moisturizer for a few weeks post-tattoo.
• Avoid wearing rough clothing fabric that might irritate the skin for the first couple of weeks after getting the tattoo.
• Avoid picking at the area. You may notice a thin layer of skin beginning to shed; this is a normal part of the healing process.

Keep an eye out for signs like increasing pain, swelling, pus, and redness or discoloration during the healing process to prevent further complications.22