I got a tattoo a week ago, now there are red bumps...?

Question

I got a tattoo a week ago, withing the past few days, there have been these itchy red bumps that are popping up around the tattoo...any clue what it could be?

Answer 1

uh oh you got AIDS , karma kicked in lol

Answer 2

are you putting anything on it?? when i got my tattoo, the guy told me to use A&D ointment which is for diaper rash... well, after using it for about 2 days my tatt broke out in little itchy and painful red bumps.. if you are putting anything on it, maybe thats what could be causing them.. if not then i'm not sure. hopefully someone can help you! you can also always go back to the shop and have the tattoo artist take a look at it.. good luck!

Answer 3

You either weren't taking or giving the right aftercare directions or you're allergic to ink.

Answer 4

Depending on where you got it. When you get a tat they shave the area and this plus the irritation from the machine could cause you to get ingrown hairs or irritation from the hair coming back. Keep it clean but do not allow it to remain wet for to long.  

Answer 5

probably from the vaseline....don't freak out mine did that...yeah stop using moisturizers on it...usually after a week it's healed anyway

Answer 6

You are over moisturizing.Do not put anything on your tat.

Answer 7

i agree your over moisturizing your tattoo  

Answer 8

irration from tattoo-normal

Answer 9

What are you using on it? My brother is a tattoo artist and he's always suggested A&D ointment, my tattoos after use of that have always came out great. No problems whatsoever.

Answer 10

I concur that it's (probably) a moisturizer problem.  However, it might not be too much on the tattoo itself; more likely it's just too much has smeared over from the tattooed area to the non-inked skin.  That the bumps are on the normal skin is the clue.

I'd recommend putting less on in general and don't spread it over the entirety of the tattoo - only in the center (if possible).  Leave the edges alone as the surrounding skin plus any 'overflow' from the lotioned up tattooed area will be sufficient.

Addendum: the below poster has a good point.  Sometimes the shaving an artist does of the spot can irritate, and folliculitis is not impossible.  It's another thing to consider, and could both exist and be exacerbated by what I & others mention.

Answer 11

just keep moiturising it with non-fragerance cream!! its supposed to be itchy, it should calm down.