Tattoos: An adverse Skin Reaction

Oct-16-2003 997 Super Admin

Tattoos contains many chemicals and ingredients which can harm the skin. Ink which is used includes iron oxide, mercury sulfide, ferric hydrate, aluminium and manganese depending upon the type of color of the ink. An allergy to any of these ingredients can cause skin reaction once the ink gets into your skin. There are several types of allergic reaction which are as follows:

Photosensitivity: Those tattoos, which contain yellow color ink can cause a skin reaction when exposed to the sun.
Dermatitis: This is the most common type allergy found in red tattoo. It can cause by mercury sulfide.
Acute Inflammatory allergic skin reaction: In this skin becomes red in color, swelling and irritation at the site of the tattoo. This can cause by tattoo needle and tattoo ink.
Granulomas: These are small bumps which can appear at the site of the tattoo. Red tattoo ink which is used can cause this type of allergic reaction.
Lichenoid allergic reaction: This is rare and it is only in case of red ink used in the tattoo. It appears around the red ink area.
Pseudolymphomatous allergic reaction: It is caused by the sensitivity to a substance of tattoo ink. It doesn’t occur after the tattoo, it is the delayed reaction.

Signs of Allergic Reaction

Swelling
Redness
Pain
Small bumps
Flaking
Scaly appearance

You should be more careful while using the tattoo needle and ink. More colors can cause more skin reaction. Try to use one or two colors, moreover avoid red color if possible. If there is any kind of skin reaction caused due to tattoo, then consult the doctor.