Get to know tattoo allergies that are often caused by the ink

Allergy tattoos to the skin

For some people, tattoos may have an important meaning as a value for their expression and belief. However, this way of expressing yourself is inseparable from the side effects and its impact on health, especially the skin.

The use of tattoos can cause problems on the skin. Conditions can be caused by various things. One of the most common causes of allergy to tattoos is ink.

Generally, tattoo ink contains several chemicals that can cause negative reactions in some people. Compared to other colors, red ink is usually the main factor in a person experiencing an allergic reaction.

However, of course all colors run the risk of making a person develop allergy symptoms. The content of iron oxide, mercuric sulfide, iron hydrate, aluminum, and manganese in tattoo ink turns out to be a trigger for reactions on the skin. An allergic reaction will usually appear as soon as the ink gets into the skin.

Apart from ink, this type of allergy can also be caused by an immune system response, skin conditions, and other allergens. Therefore, you need to recognize the condition of the body before getting a tattoo.

Signs and symptoms of a tattoo ink allergy

Source: The Daily Meal

Usually, you can experience skin allergy symptoms at any time. This can happen immediately after getting the tattoo or several weeks to years later.

In addition, sufferers of this allergy also react to certain ink colors, such as red. If this happens, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

redness and swelling of the skin,
itchy,
rash,
small bumps like pimples,
scaly and peeling skin,
blistered skin, and
the presence of pus on the lumps on the skin.

If you experience the signs mentioned, you should immediately consult a doctor. The reason is, allergy symptoms can develop rapidly to cause conditions that are severe enough, such as anaphylactic shock.

Types of tattoo allergies

Tattoo allergies on the skin are not only caused by ink, but are divided into several types according to the cause, namely as follows.

Acute inflammatory allergies

Patients with acute inflammatory allergies will usually experience redness, swelling, and irritation in the area where the tattoo is applied. This irritation is usually caused by needles and ink. Normally, this condition is not too severe and will go away in about 2-3 weeks on its own.

Photosensitivity

Tattooed skin can also cause sun allergic reactions (photosensitivity) when exposed to sunlight. This condition usually occurs when you use yellow and red ink.

Both colors actually contain cadmium sulfide which can trigger an allergic reaction when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Dermatitis

The most common type of tattoo allergy for people is dermatitis. This type of allergy is generally caused by mercuric sulfide, which is found in red ink. This allergic reaction can cause the skin to look red, rash, itchy, and swollen.

Lichenoid allergic reactions

In certain cases, lichenoid allergic reactions can occur in tattoo users and are caused by red ink. This allergic reaction tends to be characterized by the appearance of a small bump on the area of the skin that is tattooed with red ink.

Pseudolymphomatous allergic reaction

For those of you who have sensitive skin to certain substances, you may need to be careful when applying a tattoo. The reason is, allergic reactions can appear on sensitive skin when tattooed. Symptoms of this allergy generally do not appear immediately, but take longer.

Granuloma

A granuloma occurs when a small lump appears after your tattoo. Usually, it is the red ink that most often causes granulomas. Apart from red, purple, green, and blue inks can also cause you to develop granulomas around the tattooed skin.

How to deal with tattoo allergies

If the symptoms of a tattoo allergy are quite mild, you can use over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's prescription, such as the following.

Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine to relieve symptoms.
Hydrocortisone or triamcinolone ointment to relieve skin inflammation.

If the drugs that are sold in the market do not improve your condition, you should immediately consult a doctor. In general, doctors will prescribe a higher dose of antihistamine drugs.

In addition, other drug combinations will also be given to help treat the symptoms of a tattoo allergy being experienced. Generally, doctors will not ask you to remove a newly created tattoo. You only need to treat the area affected by an allergic reaction.

Medicines from doctors are enough to help alleviate the condition without leaving scars. However, tattoos can also be damaged and disrupt the appearance of the skin when an allergic reaction is left untreated (anaphylaxis) and tends to be severe.

Therefore, do not underestimate allergic reactions to tattoos. Immediately consult a doctor to get the most appropriate treatment.