Allergic Reactions And Tattoo Ink

[Bufferkiller]

I just had my second session last week, and it went awesome. Kept it simple and used A&D that night, and all day the next day. Then I went to Lubriderm. This is what I've always done, and what most artists have told me to keep doing, as I've never really had a problem. But I've never had this much work done, either.

The day after I started using the lubriderm (same bottle I used after my last session in November) my arm started breaking out in an itchy rash. Looks a lot like poison oak/ivy. Was visiting a friend this weekend that had the exact same thing happen to him when he had work done a few years back. With him it was because the ink used by the artist was organic and made from some tree in Ibiza (his artist had recently moved back from there). He went to the doctor and got some steroids for it, and found out that he can only use acrylic based ink.

Since it has broken out, I've switched back to using the A&D. Now, I don't believe the ink is what caused this with me, because a week or two before the session, I had a reaction to a new deodorant, or something. Not sure what exactly, but my arm pit broke out. It was kind of clearing up when I went in for my session, but hadn't completely.

My question is (and yes, I plan on going to the doctor either tomorrow or Friday) could the trauma from the tattoo cause it to spread like this, or does this sound more like something caused by using the lotion too soon? It is only showing up on the non-inked parts.

I'm not really worried about it, seeing as how it is still healing fine, and I've had no trouble breathing. It's just f@#king itchy as hell, and driving me crazy.

[waverly]

A. It is possible that you had a cumulative reaction to the A+D ointment. It can happen if you use A+D over a period of time. Your DR. should know what to do.
B.There is no such thing as "organic" ink. It's a marketing catchword that, in this day and age, makes people feel like they are getting the tattoo equivalent of organic food. It must be better for me, right? It's a lie. UNLESS the person in Ibiza made something they call ink out of berries- then it's just plain stupid.

[Bufferkiller]

Originally Posted by waverly

A. It is possible that you had a cumulative reaction to the A+D ointment. It can happen if you use A+D over a period of time. Your DR. should know what to do.
B.There is no such thing as "organic" ink. It's a marketing catchword that, in this day and age, makes people feel like they are getting the tattoo equivalent of organic food. It must be better for me, right? It's a lie. UNLESS the person in Ibiza made something they call ink out of berries- then it's just plain stupid.

He said it was some seed from some tree over there that was used to make the black ink. He said it was used there because it was more resilient to the sun than a lot of other inks. He used a different ink for the rest of his work, and never had another problem. He had several tattoos before and after with no trouble.

I was also curious if the red pigment that was in the orange used to make the yellow a darker gold color could have contributed to this reaction. If it weren't for the fact that I'd had the same rash for almost two weeks before the tattoo, I'd have thought I was allergic to the ink. It just seems that it didn't spread (it seemed to be going away, as it was no longer itching me), until a couple of days afterward.

[jess the dude]

it sounds to me like you are having a reaction to the a and d. even if you have used it many times before it can develop suddenly. try a petroleum free product.

[travelingtom]

Originally Posted by jess

it sounds to me like you are having a reaction to the a and d. even if you have used it many times before it can develop suddenly. try a petroleum free product.

i agree, it could also be from using too much! if they are small red bumps, it may be from over moisturizing.

[Bufferkiller]

I used a very thin layer of a&d twice a day. It was fine with that. Didn't start breaking out until I switched to the Lubriderm.

I went to the pharmacy last night and got some hydrocordisone ointment, and then saw my doctor this morning. She gave me a steroid shot in the ass, and some anti biotics, because it looks like something I can't pronounce or remember. She said it was an infection of the hair folicule, but that it might be just a reaction to the trauma of the tattoo. The only reason she doesn't think it was caused from the tattoo or the a&d, is because I had it show up almost two weeks before the session, and it started to spread when I stopped using the a&d.

So far all the freaking medicine that's been shoved down my throat, and shot into my hip, has me feeling like crap. But it isn't itching as badly now.

The over moisturizing sounds like a possibility, since I wear long sleeves to work, and it doesn't really breath like it should. But I'm really good about using very thin layers of lotion and/or ointment.

[Joe]

A pigment reaction would have left you with bumps in the area tattooed as well. It could be the artist wanted to get the cleanest shave he could, causing razor burn. The ointment would intensify the effects.

[travelingtom]

Originally Posted by Bufferkiller

I used a very thin layer of a&d twice a day. It was fine with that. Didn't start breaking out until I switched to the Lubriderm.

I went to the pharmacy last night and got some hydrocordisone ointment, and then saw my doctor this morning. She gave me a steroid shot in the ass, and some anti biotics, because it looks like something I can't pronounce or remember. She said it was an infection of the hair folicule, but that it might be just a reaction to the trauma of the tattoo. The only reason she doesn't think it was caused from the tattoo or the a&d, is because I had it show up almost two weeks before the session, and it started to spread when I stopped using the a&d.

So far all the freaking medicine that's been shoved down my throat, and shot into my hip, has me feeling like crap. But it isn't itching as badly now.

The over moisturizing sounds like a possibility, since I wear long sleeves to work, and it doesn't really breath like it should. But I'm really good about using very thin layers of lotion and/or ointment.

if you were only using it twice a day, i doubt its from over moisturizing. listen to your doctor!!!!!!!!!

[Deran]

Yup, too much moisturizing can clog the pores, causing a rash to break out. Too dry is better than too wet. I would let it dry for a few days.

[Deran]

I've found that doctors know very little about tattoos and aftercare, for whatever reason. Tattoos are a little different than other wounds. I've had a rash like that break out before and I just stopped moisturizing and it went away.