Am I having an allergic reaction to tattoo ink?

What ingredient in red tattoo ink could cause an allergic reaction?

• My friend just got a large tattoo on his leg, and the only parts of the tattoo which have become inflamed/infected are the parts where red ink has been used. Orange & yellow parts are unaffected - just red. Is there a specific ingredient in red ink that he could be allergic to?

• Answer:

  Yes! I too love red ink! However, I always get what is known as "Red Reaction" to the red ink. The entire Tattoo heals perfectly except everything done in red starts to "raise" almost resembling a brand instead of a tattoo. Nine times out of ten the ink starts to push its way out of the skin bc the body is rejecting it, and the red portion usually becomes yellowish in color and puss. It's infected. First priority is to call your primary care doctor tell them you got a tattoo quite recently and that it is infected. Ask him to prescribe you a high strength antibiotic ASAP. I believe the several times this has happened to me (I have no choice but to deal with this because most of my Japanese theme work is red based; cherry blossoms for example. I believe I have been prescribed augmentin (sp?) which does the trick. Keep in mind this will dry the tattoo so be sure to continue use of an antibiotic and keep it moist w a thin layer. I find neosporin (w/o pain killer) original works best. Don't be alarmed that after healing... (DO NOT PICK AT IT!!) that the red ink will most likely stay raised. My way of dealing with it that has worked was continued use... Sometimes for 2 months of thin layer of bacitracin. Also, make SURE TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE SUN!! The sun will double the branding effect! On fact, even though mine have healed, whenever I get too much sun all the red on my ink raises. Hence I always use spray sunscreen (50spf) on My tata. Some artists are buying cheap INK. This INK contains "i believe Iron; dont quote me... OR some other component that causes this reaction in some but not all. To avoid... Make sure ur artist is buying the best ink and not saving a buck. Also... Alot of artists will deny this; like anything else they take pride in their work and don't want to believe that something they used or did could cause such a thing. That said, google "red reaction" and you will see alot of what I wrote in addition to what I am missing w regards to ingredients in the red dye that causes this in some. Remember... Augmentin, DON'T PICK, keep lubed w antibiotic ointment well after the rest of the tattoo heals and become best friends w sunscreen. No brainer anyways if you want your tats to last and your a sun lover! Hope this helps! -Steven Palumbo