Infected Tattoo Signs: How to Tell Normal Healing From Infection

Almost every new tattoo goes through a stage where it is red, sore, a bit swollen and itchy. That is your skin healing. But a small number of tattoos do become infected, and it can be hard to tell the difference when you are staring at a fresh piece at midnight. Here are the infected tattoo signs to watch for.

Here is how to tell normal healing from an infected tattoo, what an allergic reaction looks like, and when to get medical help.

What is normal in the first two weeks

These are all expected parts of healing and are not, on their own, signs of infection:

• Redness and warmth around the tattoo in the first two or three days, fading over time.
• Mild swelling, especially on ankles, feet and wrists.
• Oozing clear or slightly inky fluid in the first day or two.
• Tenderness similar to a sunburn.
• Scabbing, flaking and peeling from around day three onwards. See our tattoo scabbing guide.
• Itching as the skin repairs.
• A raised feel to the lines. Read why tattoos feel raised.

The key pattern of normal healing is that symptoms improve day by day.

Signs of an infected tattoo

Infection usually shows up as symptoms that get worse instead of better, often a few days after the tattoo. Watch for:

• Redness that spreads beyond the edges of the tattoo, or keeps growing after the first few days.
• Skin that feels increasingly hot to the touch.
• Pain or swelling that increases rather than settles.
• Pus: thick yellow, green or cloudy discharge, sometimes with a bad smell.
• Red streaks spreading out from the tattoo.
• Painful bumps or blisters in the tattooed area.
• Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell.
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes, for example in the armpit for an arm tattoo or the groin for a leg tattoo.

Normal healing vs infection at a glance

• Redness: normal if limited to the tattoo and fading. Concerning if spreading or worsening after day three.
• Fluid: normal if clear or inky in the first day or two. Concerning if thick, yellow or green, or smelly.
• Pain: normal if easing daily. Concerning if getting worse.
• How you feel: normal if well. Concerning if you have a fever or feel unwell.

When to get medical help

• Get urgent help (A&E in the UK, emergency care in the US) if you have a high temperature with spreading redness, red streaks, feel very unwell, or the area is rapidly getting worse. Tattoo infections can occasionally spread into deeper tissue or the blood.
• See a doctor or GP soon, the same day if possible, if you notice pus, spreading redness, heat or increasing pain.
• Book an appointment if you are simply unsure, or symptoms are not improving after two weeks.

Bacterial infections usually need antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Do not try to treat a suspected infection with leftover antibiotics or home remedies.

What not to do

• Do not squeeze bumps or pick at the area.
• Do not cover it with thick layers of petroleum jelly or wrap it in cling film.
• Do not go swimming, use hot tubs or saunas. See swimming after a tattoo.
• Do not wait and hope if you have a fever.

Tell your artist too. A reputable studio will want to know, and it helps them check their procedures.

Is it infection or an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction to tattoo ink can look similar but behaves differently. It often causes an itchy, bumpy, raised rash, sometimes limited to one colour. Red ink is most commonly linked to allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can appear days, months or even years after the tattoo, and do not usually cause a fever or pus. They still need to be assessed by a doctor or dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology advises seeing a dermatologist if tattooed skin reacts or changes in any way.

How to reduce the risk of infection

• Choose a licensed or registered studio with sterile, single-use needles. See how to find a good tattoo artist.
• Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
• Clean it gently with mild, fragrance-free soap and pat dry with clean paper towel.
• Use clean bedding and clothes. Read how to sleep with a new tattoo.
• Follow your artist's aftercare instructions and our healing timeline.

Sources: The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, tattooing aftercare advice, and the American Academy of Dermatology, caring for tattooed skin. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice.