What Are the Signs of an Infected Tattoo?

If you’re considering getting your first tattoo, or just adding to your tattoos collection, it’s important to do it safely.  

Fortunately, tattoo infections aren’t common. But they can occur, and having one can lead to serious complications if it’s not treated. So it’s important to recognize signs of an infection early.

New tattoos often have redness and inflammation, and it’s sometimes difficult to know what’s normal healing and when you should get medical care.  

Here, we’ll review how tattoos can get infected, specific symptoms to watch for, and how to lower the risk of infection for your next tattoo.

How do tattoos get infected?

There are a few different ways tattoos can get infected. To understand how this happens, it helps to know the basics of how a tattoo is created.

After the skin is cleaned, small needles coated with ink are used to rapidly pierce the skin. Each time a needle punctures the skin, a tiny drop of ink is left behind in the middle layer of the skin (called the dermis). When the tattoo is finished, there are many tiny holes in the skin. This can take a few days to heal.

A tattoo can get infected at any step of the process. Most infections happen during tattooing when bacteria can get into the skin. That can happen if:

• The skin isn’t properly cleaned before getting a tattoo. Bacteria living on top of the skin can enter the skin with the needle. 

• Equipment like needles are not sterile. Needles and ink cups should only be used on one person and then thrown out.

• Other sterile procedures, such as cleaning equipment and surfaces, aren’t followed.

Other less common causes of infections include contaminated ink and not taking proper care of the tattoo (more on that later). 

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Types of infections

Different germs can cause tattoo infections, but bacterial infections are the most common. Other germs that may cause infections are viruses and fungi, but they are less common. 

Bacteria that can cause tattoo infections include:

• Staphylococcus aureus 

• Streptococcus  

• Pseudomonas   

• Nontuberculous mycobacteria   

How to tell if your tattoo is healing properly 

Tattoos usually take 2 to 4 weeks to heal, but this can vary depending on the size of the tattoo and how much color is in it. Here’s what to expect with normal healing:

During the first couple of days:

• It’s normal to notice redness and some swelling around the tattoo. 

• There may be some oozing. This may consist of plasma (the yellowish part of your blood) mixed with some tattoo ink. 

• Your skin may also feel sore and tender, which is normal. 

After the first few days:

• The redness and swelling begins to go down. 

• The top layer of skin can start to peel and scab as it heals. 

• The area may still feel sore, but the pain should be getting better. 

• You may experience some itching, but it’s very important not to scratch or pick at your skin. 

After 1 to 3 weeks: 

• The skin surface should be completely healed. 

• The skin beneath the surface is still healing and remodeling, so it’s still important to be gentle with your tattoo.

Signs and symptoms of a tattoo infection

Signs of a tattoo infection usually appear within the first few days or weeks of getting the tattoo. But some infections may occur even later than this. Here are some signs and symptoms that you may have a tattoo infection: 

• Red or violet discoloration around the tattoo that lasts after the first few days or starts to darken or spread

• Intense or ongoing pain

• Yellow drainage (unlike normal drainage, this can be thick and foul-smelling, and it happens after the first few days of healing) 

• Fevers or chills

• Nausea or vomiting

• Bumps or open sores that develop within the tattoo

You may also develop an allergic reaction, which can cause redness or bumps. If you notice any signs of infection or allergy, contact your primary care provider or dermatologist, or go to urgent care.

How to treat an infected tattoo

If you notice any signs of infections or your tattoo doesn’t seem to be healing properly, you should see your primary care provider or other healthcare professional. 

They’ll first confirm that you have an infection. They may be able to do this just by looking at the infection. In some situations, they may take a swab of the fluid (called a culture) to send to the lab. This can determine what type of bacteria is causing the infection, or if the infection is caused by something else, like a virus.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Different antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on the type of bacteria and how serious the infection is. 

For mild infections, you may get an antibiotic ointment for 7 to 10 days. For more serious infections, you may need to take antibiotic pills for 2 to 6 weeks. 

Fungal or viral infections are treated with different medications.

Can you treat an infected tattoo at home?

If you think your tattoo is infected, don’t try to treat it on your own. An infected tattoo can be serious. They usually require prescription medication to be treated. 

If left untreated, infected tattoos can lead to more serious conditions like:

• Impetigo

• Cellulitis

• An abscess

An untreated infection may even spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious problems, like a blood infection (septic shock).   

How to choose a safe tattoo parlor and artist

Getting your tattoo from a reputable tattoo artist can help lower the risk of infection. You want to find someone who follows procedures to prevent infections, and someone who is well regarded in the field. Here are a few ways to find a reputable tattoo parlor and artist:

• Check for a license. All states require licenses for tattoo parlors but some don’t require tattoo artists to have a license. All tattoo parlors are required to take a certification course in infection control. You can check online to see if the parlor or artist you’re interested in is licensed by the state.  

• Read online reviews. Check reviews on social media sites of tattoo parlors and artists.  Look for artists who have a lot of positive comments and reviews from past clients. 

• Look for photos. Reputable tattoo artists typically post photos of their tattoos, often on Instagram. Look for artists with many photos of “healed” tattoos.   

Once you’ve selected a parlor and a tattoo artist, ask the artist questions about their sterilization process. Look around to make sure the place is clean and well-maintained. Here are some things to consider when evaluating a place: 

• Check for tattoo ink recalls and ask the tattoo artist or studio if they’ve checked to make sure their ink is not being recalled.

• Make sure the tattoo artist uses single-use kits that are discarded after each use.

• Tattoo machines and other surfaces may be covered in disposable plastic to reduce contamination.

If you’re not comfortable or satisfied, it’s OK to say you’ve changed your mind, and leave. 

Tips to prevent infection

It’s important to treat a new tattoo like a wound. With proper aftercare, you can help reduce the risk of infection. Here are recommended steps to follow: 

• Keep the tattoo clean by washing the area twice a day with a gentle cleanser.

• After cleaning, apply a cream-based moisturizer or Aquaphor followed by a bandage.  

• Don’t pick or scratch at your tattoo. 

• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, or being submerged in water during the healing process. 

Frequently asked questions

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Laurie Tarkan

Laurie Tarkan is a senior health editor for general health and well-being at GoodRx. She has an extensive background in health journalism, and wrote regularly for The New York Times for a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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