Help! My Tattoo Itches and I Don’t Want to Damage It
Itchiness is one of the most common complaints among tattooed individuals. However, there are many reasons behind itching.
For example, some people have allergic reactions when they get tattoos; others may have allergies to certain ingredients used in ink or even the chemicals used during the manufacturing process. There are other factors such as the person’s lifestyle and diet.
If you want to avoid getting your tattoo itched, then here are some tips:
Wear loose fitting clothing that doesn’t cling to your skin. Avoid wearing tight clothes like tank tops, skirts or dresses that cling to your body.
Wear light colored clothing so that you don’t attract attention from passersby. Keep away from sunlight and direct sun rays because these can cause burns. If you’re going out in the sun, wear sunscreen.
For those with sensitive skin, itching may occur at any time of day or night. You might experience itching only while sleeping and not at all during the daytime.
The itching may also vary depending on where you live and what kind of environment you’ve lived under before getting a tattoo. Some people report that their tattoos do not itch until they get older than 50 years old (or even younger).
You should also keep your tattoo away from water. Take a shower instead of a bath and when you swim, make sure that the area where your tattoo is do not get wet.
For those who love swimming or bathing, apply sunblock before going out into the sun so that you don’t get a sunburn.
Ingredients in the inks as well as those found in pesticides may cause an allergic reaction that can lead to itchy skin. It is best to check with your doctor whether the ingredients in the tattoo ink are safe for you or not.
It is also a good idea to see an allergist to determine what type of itchy skin you have and what can be done about it.
If you discover that your tattoo is itchy because of the types of inks used, then there’s nothing much you can do except get your tattoo re-done. If it is because of your diet or lifestyle, then you just need to make some lifestyle changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables or drinking more water so that your skin can stay hydrated.
The area where the tattoo is at may get affected by an allergic reaction. If this happens, you will experience swelling, redness and itchiness on the tattooed area.
If this happens to you, visit a doctor immediately to see what must be done about it.
Itchiness can also occur if you don’t take good care of your tattoo. Make sure to wash the area at least once or twice a day using mild, fragrance-free soaps.
Scratching can actually cause small tears in the skin which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and can even lead to an infection.
If you engage in an activity that makes you sweat profusely, always make sure to apply a high quality lotion or cream after you’re done with it. You might need to apply it several times a day.
If the area where your tattoo is at becomes red, swollen and itchy, you should definitely visit a doctor as these are signs of an infection.
Moisturizing is very important in keeping your tattoo looking good. Make sure to apply a good quality moisturizer at least once every day even if the area isn’t dry.
Also, make sure to wash your hands before applying the moisturizer to avoid staining the tattoo.
Tattoos can be very itchy for some people even years after getting it done.
Sources & references used in this article:
Nature’s Tattoos by D Landrum-Geyer – Westview, 2015 – dc.swosu.edu
Herkimer County Living by N Mailer – 2014 – Random House Incorporated
Tattoo removal by E Start, N Staff, S Realistic, C Potato, Y Ink-Are, T Safe – 2008 – pdfs.semanticscholar.org
Write like this: Teaching real-world writing through modeling & mentor texts by K Hudson – 2009 – Seal Press
Individual Risk and Prevention of Complications: Doctors’ Advice to Persons Wishing a New Tattoo by SH Espanol – Atlantic – lohiderm.com
