HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Have Skin Pigmentation And Swelling After Having A Tattoo. Taking Antibiotics And Spraying Bactine. What To Do?

Tattoo Infection - I have given myself homemade tattoos before and (as far as prisonstyle tattoos go) I have done a pretty good job in the past of sanitation.
This last tat I was doing was a cover-up on my ankle, and I used a different ink than I usually use, which has caused my skin to be red and swollen (it's day 3 now but I am used to new tats enough to know when it looks healthy, which it doesn't.), and I cant afford to go to the doctor for the infection, so I was wondering if you had any advice to help me out?
I have been spraying it with bactine at least daily, giving it plenty of air and avoiding moisture.
also, I have some antibiotics (don't remember the name, no longer in the bottle) that my doctor gave me about a year ago for an infection in my intestine, and I was wondering if I should take these as I was thinking they might help, and I figured it was worth a shot as long as they couldn't make it worse, so could they?
thanks a lot!
Thu, 2 May 2013
Report Abuse
Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi

Thanks for the query

There can be two reasons for the above presentation,,
Either you have developed contact sensitivity due to the tattoo and its pigment ie a kind of allergic reaction to the pigment.
Or you have developed infection at the site of the tattoo..
Allergic reaction usually presents with redness and development of fluid filled vesicular lesions with few solid papules or pustules over the affected area..the lesions in this case are very itchy in nature...
Infection presents with redness of the area with the development of pus filled lesions...
I would advice you to apply a steroid-antibiotic combination like Flutibact cream over the area
Take oral antihistamines like levocetrizine once a day for 3-4 days...
Keep the area clean and dry
Wash with lukewarm water twice a day before applying the cream
Do not use any other creams/oils/moisturizing lotions over the area..

If inspite of the above measures, the lesions persist or increase in size, then sometimes a course of oral steroids or oral antibiotics is required according to the clinical picture

Hope it helps
Wishing you speedy recovery
Dr Geetika Paul
I find this answer helpful

2 Doctors agree with this answer

General & Family Physician Dr. Saloni Shah's  Response
Hello for posting on HCM
It sounds like you have developed allergic reaction to the tatoo ink as one of the possibilities
For allergy - you will need to try anti histamines & steroid based creams for 1 week at least before it settles down
If it is due to infection ( common signs being swelling, redness hot to touch & slight fever ) - antibiotics in the form of tablets is better
Bactine is anti septic spray which has local anaesthetic effect to stop the pain
A/b used for intestinal inf will not control skin infection - for tatoo related infection you will need flucloxacillin / amox anti biotic
I hope this helps
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Contact sensitivity


Loading Online Doctors....
Have Skin Pigmentation And Swelling After Having A Tattoo. Taking Antibiotics And Spraying Bactine. What To Do?

Hi Thanks for the query There can be two reasons for the above presentation,, Either you have developed contact sensitivity due to the tattoo and its pigment ie a kind of allergic reaction to the pigment. Or you have developed infection at the site of the tattoo.. Allergic reaction usually presents with redness and development of fluid filled vesicular lesions with few solid papules or pustules over the affected area..the lesions in this case are very itchy in nature... Infection presents with redness of the area with the development of pus filled lesions... I would advice you to apply a steroid-antibiotic combination like Flutibact cream over the area Take oral antihistamines like levocetrizine once a day for 3-4 days... Keep the area clean and dry Wash with lukewarm water twice a day before applying the cream Do not use any other creams/oils/moisturizing lotions over the area.. If inspite of the above measures, the lesions persist or increase in size, then sometimes a course of oral steroids or oral antibiotics is required according to the clinical picture Hope it helps Wishing you speedy recovery Dr Geetika Paul