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In This Article
Not to get too personal, but is your tattoo raised and itchy?
Don’t panic just yet.
Richard Drury/Getty
This is a fairly common occurrence and the underlying cause is not always serious.
Meet the Experts
Allergic Reaction
You first must rule out if its allergy or an infection.
Allergy can be due to different colored pigment in tattoos, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Sperling.
It can also just happen from the use of cheap ink.
But if it’s just minor irritation,hydrocortisonecan be picked up at pretty much any drugstore.
Some people notice that for them, it only happens in the summertime.
When temperatures and humidity rise, it can make your tattoo swell slightly.
This swelling causes a slight stretching of the skin, which also results in an itch.
Byrdie Tip
Alleviate tattoo irritation temporarily by using a topical anti-itch cream, ice, or cool water.
She also notes that you should “double-check to get evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist.”
Are they only in one color of the tattoo or multiple colors?
Did it occur shortly after the tattoo was placed or years later?
Are the bumps soft or hard?
Your doctor can evaluate the lesion and determine if a biopsy is needed for diagnostic purposes."
What to do if you have an infection?
Listen to your doctor, and take the full course of antibiotics.
Body Chemistry
Changes inside your body may affect you on the outside, too.
Usually stopping this activity, at least for a period of time, will let the tattoo heal.
Avoid physical activities and things likehot showersuntil you know those aren’t the triggers.
Unfortunately, your tattoo may be particularly sensitive to it.
(Just check that the skinaroundthe tattoo isn’t raised, as this could signal an infection.)
It typically takes tattoos about one month from the time of tattooing to take on their final form.
Tattoos are consideredfullyhealed after about three months.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Tattoos: 7 unexpected skin reactions and what to do about them.
2014;2014:354608. doi:10.1155/2014/354608
Cleveland Clinic.Dry skin.
Updated May 13, 2020.
