Worst Tattoo Infection Ever

Worst Tattoo Infection Ever

The worst tattoo infection known is the “Red Reaction”. The red reaction affects approximately 1 in every 100,000 to 300,000 people. It is characterized by itching and sometimes swelling depending on how severe the case. This usually happens 3 to 5 years after the tattoo, although cases have been reported as early as a few months and as late as 20 years.

Remedies usually involve OTC lotion or in more severe cases, medication prescribed by a dermatologist. No one seems to know what causes it and is associated usually only with the color red.

Tattoo Making Process

About 25 years ago most red pigments contained mercury and the red reaction was much more common. It was widely believed that mercury was the cause. Mercury is no longer used in tattoo inks. Red reaction incidences decreased dramatically but were not eliminated.

Anything that the needles must go through to drive the ink into the dermis can be carried with the ink into the skin and some people are blessed with a high degree of reaction to foreign material.

Most tattoo artists use a petroleum jelly based ointment as a lubricant on the surface of the skin and tattoo through that layer. In some persons, driving any of that into the skin sets up a foreign body reaction with lumps and itching (me, for one). If that is the case, persuade your artist to tattoo “dry” without the ointment. It is perfectly satisfactory and no harder on both. One cannot see the need for the “grease” layer as an added possibility for foreign body reactions.

Beware: that some artists use plain petroleum jelly, while others use vitamin-enhanced products.