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Bleeding, scabbing, and itching are typical responses to a new tattoo. However, bumps and pus are not.
Igor Terekhov/Hemera/ThinkstockYou’ve invested significant time, effort, and money into your tattoo, as it’s a permanent addition to your body. Naturally, you want it to look flawless. However, if you start experiencing discomfort, such as small red bumps, skin tenderness, swelling, or pus around the tattooed area, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. These could be signs of a staph infection, which can be severe and, in some instances, life-threatening.
While uncommon, it is possible to contract a staph infection from getting a tattoo.
From 2004 to 2005, 44 individuals in the U.S. developed antibiotic-resistant staph infections traced back to unlicensed tattoo artists operating in three states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these infections stemmed from unsanitary practices, such as not using masks, gloves, or sterile needles and ink [source: WebMD].
Symptoms of a staph infection can vary from minor (small, itchy skin irritations) to severe (deep abscesses needing medical intervention). In extreme cases, staph can penetrate deeply into the body, leading to life-threatening infections in the blood, bones, or organs. Certain strains, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are particularly challenging to treat due to their resistance to antibiotics.
You can significantly lower your chances of getting a staph infection (or any infectious disease) by adhering to these guidelines before getting a tattoo:
- Always choose a licensed and certified tattoo studio, avoiding unlicensed artists or those operating from home.
- Ensure your tattoo artist wears sterile, single-use gloves.
- Needles must be new, sterile, and unwrapped in your presence, and the artist should clean your skin before tattooing.
- Ink containers should be single-use and discarded after each client.
- After the procedure, the tattoo should be disinfected and covered with a sterile bandage.
- Follow your artist's aftercare instructions carefully and consult a doctor if you notice any infection signs.
Staph infections aren't the only risk — hepatitis B and C, HIV, and tetanus are also potential dangers if unclean needles are used. Always trust your tattoos to highly professional and hygienic artists.
