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Tattoo Problems - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three


	Yes

Do you have any signs of an allergic reaction after getting a new tattoo?


	Yes

Do you have swelling at the site of the tattoo?


	Yes

Do you think you have an infection after getting a tattoo?


	Yes

Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?


	Yes

Have you had symptoms of another illness in the weeks to months since getting a tattoo?


	Yes

Do you have a tattoo that is not healing?


	Yes

Do you have hives that came on suddenly and cover all or most of your body?


	Yes

Do you have a feeling of swelling in the mouth or throat without difficulty breathing?


	Yes

Are you having mild wheezing or mild difficulty breathing?


	Yes

Do you have hives over all or most of your body that came on over several hours after your tattooing?


	Yes

Do you have normal breathing at rest but mild shortness of breath or mild wheezing with any amount of effort?


	Yes

Have you had hives for 24 hours or longer but you do not have other symptoms?


	Yes

Have you had swelling and itching of the tattoo (local allergic reaction) for 24 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a long-term (chronic) mild breathing problem that has slowly gotten worse during the past 24 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Is swelling so severe that it cuts off blood flow below the site of the tattoo, making the area cool, clammy, or painful?


	Yes

Do you have severe, rapid joint swelling near the site of the tattoo?


	Yes

Has gradual swelling developed over a joint area after getting a tattoo?


	Yes

Has swelling that is not in a joint area gotten worse after 24 hours of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you continue to have moderate swelling after 48 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?


	Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?


	Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from the tattoo?


	Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, heat, or tenderness around the tattoo?


	Yes

Do you have pus coming from the tattoo?


	Yes

Do you have swollen or tender glands (lymph nodes) above or below the tattoo?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Have you had increased pain, swelling, and redness less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) around the tattoo for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you worried that the tattoo has gotten dirty or has germs on it and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.


	Yes

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?


	Yes

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you had a general feeling of tiredness, or lack of energy (fatigue)?


	Yes

Have you had a general feeling of illness (malaise)?


	Yes

Have you had a fever of think you have a fever?


	Yes

Have you had loss of appetite?


	Yes

Have you had nausea or vomiting?


	Yes

Have you had constant discomfort in the upper right side of your belly?


	Yes

Have you had dark urine (the color of root beer)?


	Yes

Have you had steady muscle aches or joint pain?


	Yes

Has the skin or white part of your eye turned yellow (jaundice)?


	Yes

Do you have a new skin rash?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a tattoo that has not healed after 1 to 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 12, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.