Overworked? Infected? Both?

sloegen · 16 Feb 2021

Hiya. Just did my first tattoo on my ankle a week and a half ago and it’s pretty red, but isn’t streaky, hot, etc.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1361846900882694144

I had a script of Zithromax laying around the house so started that, but not sure how worried to be. Thanks in advance!

gadsden1776 · 16 Feb 2021

i don't really have the experience to tell you from this photo if it's overworked. There looks to be spots that were too deep or chewed up. it looks rough/raw - possibly more from poor aftercare.... clean/moisturize lightly/keep sh!t from rubbing it.

as far as infected... i think it could be. 1.5 weeks in & did this just show up or has it been this angry since day one? since you started the zithro - you should probably finish it... but i don't zithro is for these type of infections.

i'd personally probably keep it clean, moisturize w/coconut oil, & maybe stop by a tattoo shop for some advice. If it got even a little bit worse I would be heading to the doctor/urgent care.

describe your santitation protocol before, during, & after this piece.

sloegen · 16 Feb 2021

Cleaned the site, a and d for the first couple days. It’s been grumpy since about day 3 (or that’s when the redness of my others have usually subsided). This was the first tattoo /I did/ not my first received, so I wash gently with in scented soap, moisturize but
etc. My after care is pretty solid, I haven’t had trouble healing a tattoo in well over a decade.

I’m also mildly allergic to penicillin, so that’s a whole thing. It’s winter, so I have been wearing socks, but am pretty conscious about wear and tear.

I suppose my question is more “it doesn’t feel infected, but has anyone seen this reaction from overworking?” But I am also doing whatever I can to prevent infection and will go to doc if it at all was spreading/ felt worse/ etc. I also upgraded inks since this first one, so could that have been an issue?

sloegen · 16 Feb 2021

sloegen said:
Cleaned the site, a and d for the first couple days. It’s been grumpy since about day 3 (or that’s when the redness of my others have usually subsided). This was the first tattoo /I did/ not my first received, so I wash gently with in scented soap, moisturize but
etc. My after care is pretty solid, I haven’t had trouble healing a tattoo in well over a decade.

I’m also mildly allergic to penicillin, so that’s a whole thing. It’s winter, so I have been wearing socks, but am pretty conscious about wear and tear.

I suppose my question is more “it doesn’t feel infected, but has anyone seen this reaction from overworking?” But I am also doing whatever I can to prevent infection and will go to doc if it at all was spreading/ felt worse/ etc. I also upgraded inks since this first one, so could that have been an issue?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1361878317998084096

sloegen · 16 Feb 2021

sloegen said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1361878317998084096

This was the 3rd one I did. The angle was easier, better quality ink, and I haven’t had any issues.

79josh81 · 17 Feb 2021

That’s infected. I would practice a little more on synthetic skin or fruit and also review your sanitation practices before tattooing yourself again. Just my opinion.

DKJ · 17 Feb 2021

This looks very much like a light bubble looking scar, you should work on your needle and hand speed, and/or your depht, from the picture you hurt your skin.

I can't tell you if it's infected or not, but applying any after-care tattoo cream, or balm will help, it looks very dry on the pic.
Your skin needs to have a layer of hydratation to heal and renew faster (and better), since it has no channels to bring any healing ingredients on its external side.

Peace,

DKJ

MalligaMallan · 17 Feb 2021

Asking on a forum like this is a little risky, you'll probably get as many suggestions as you get answers ?

From what I've learned it should be yellow stuff in it to show infection - and it looks like your does have yellow beneath the black in some parts.

I've also learned that if it's infected you shall not use any cream.

The best advice is probably what Gadsden said - go ask a tattoo shop. Prepare yourself for some scolding, having tattooed yourself ? Or go straight to the doctors. They'll know for sure.

Dzikichrzan · 17 Feb 2021

Really overworked to me

Chustik · 17 Feb 2021

If its not hot, smelly or has yellow stuff/ liquid its not infected. You overworked the area.

How many times did you go over those lines? some lines arent red, other look pretty angry.

sloegen · 17 Feb 2021

Chustik said:
If its not hot, smelly or has yellow stuff/ liquid its not infected. You overworked the area.

How many times did you go over those lines? some lines arent red, other look pretty angry.

Like... way too many. I think I’m used to pencil sketching, lol (?) so did that, but with a heavy hand. I erred on the side of caution so am hitting up a doc tomorrow regardless.
I hadn’t taken any ibuprofen or anything until after this post, and it felt considerably better after I did. I legit used a laser thermometer and compared between my ankles, and couldn’t sense a temp change even that way. Better safe than sorry, and glad I had enough real estate (and sense) to do that to myself rather than anyone else.

sloegen · 17 Feb 2021

MalligaMallan said:
Asking on a forum like this is a little risky, you'll probably get as many suggestions as you get answers ?

From what I've learned it should be yellow stuff in it to show infection - and it looks like your does have yellow beneath the black in some parts.

I've also learned that if it's infected you shall not use any cream.

The best advice is probably what Gadsden said - go ask a tattoo shop. Prepare yourself for some scolding, having tattooed yourself ? Or go straight to the doctors. They'll know for sure.

Yeah, I realized I needed to ask “has anyone seen this from just overwork?”

Dazza · 17 Feb 2021

Definitely overworked,might have a tiny bit of infection,your live

WhippTatts · 22 Feb 2021

I don’t think people know what an infection is. This looks like skin trauma but not infection. Looks like you went too deep in some places. Find videos of some pros showing the needle penetrating the skin - you’ll see you really don’t need to go deep. Slow down your hand speed to get a solid line without diving so deep

Overworked? Infected? Both?

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