While a lot of people are worried about the pain when you are getting done, that is not where it ends. The tattoo process continues until the tattoo is completely healed and set. A new tattoo is an open wound that takes a while to heal, taking anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal. While it heals, you might be experiencing a pain that might be worse than the actual tattooing: an itchy tattoo!
So why is my tattoo itchy? For someone who has gotten their first tattoo, they won’t realize the pain and annoyance of a new tattoo. There are many reasons why a tattoo might be itchy, but you will have to know that it is a normal part of the tattoo process. But when it happens on an old tattoo, it might be a sign of something more serious. That is why it is important to understand why your tattoo is itchy and what you can do about it.
Key Takeaways
- There are many causes of an itchy tattoo and these causes might be simultaneously causing your tattoo to be itchy.
- There are simple treatments to soothe your itchy tattoo and if the worse comes to worst, medication might be needed.
- Carefully observe the signs of your itchy tattoo in case it becomes worse. Consult a doctor if you notice one of these signs.
8 Causes of Itchy Tattoos
The causes of an itchy tattoo can be for a variety of reasons. They are also not limited to just new tattoos as old tattoos can also be affected. So here are some of the causes of an itchy tattoo. You never know if it could be just one or multiple causes that makes your tattoo itchy.
1. Healing process
The healing process of a tattoo is probably the most normal reason why your tattoo might be itchy. A new tattoo needs time to heal and the interaction with the body’s immune system causes the itching sensation. This immune system response happens as long as the ink is in your body. So even if your tattoo is old, it will also heal after being worked on by the immune system.
2. Allergy to ink pigments
Pigments in the tattoo ink are made from heavy metal derivatives. These are safe but because they stay in your skin for so long, they might cause an allergic reaction somewhere down the line. The reaction might vary, ranging from just a simple itchy rash to a full-blown allergic reaction. So be wary if you are allergic to metals such as iron and titanium.
3. Infection
Due to the nature of a tattoo being a wound, there is a possibility of getting your tattoo infected. The exposed layers of skin between your epidermis and dermis are where this infection takes place. Once the bacteria start attacking your skin, that is when you will start to feel the itchy sensation.
4. Ink contamination
The FDA tries its best to make sure that the ink that is provided to tattoo artists is sterile and not contaminated. However, you might get to find out that a tattoo ink container is contaminated too late. This ink will make your tattoo itch.
5. Existing skin condition
If you have existing skin conditions such as eczema, you might be more susceptible to itchy skin. The piercing of the skin might flare up your already existing skin condition and make the tattooed skin especially itchy. So be sure to talk to your tattoo artist about your skin condition during your tattoo consultation to make sure that it is safe for you to get a tattoo.
6. Medication and medical procedures
If you are on medication that has itching or drying of the skin as one of its side effects, then there is a possibility that your tattoo might become the area that gets super itchy. This area is already prone to drying out quicker than other parts of the skin and medication might make it worse!
Then there are medical procedures such as MRIs that use magnets to scan your body. The magnets are harmless to typical skin, but the metals in tattoo ink might have other plans. Your tattoo might get heated during such procedures and irritate the skin, causing you to have an itchy tattoo. So be sure to bring up the topic of your tattoo when it comes to medication and medical procedures.
7. Sun exposure
The sun is probably the worst enemy to your tattoo skin than anything else! The UV rays from the sun can cause a reaction to occur on the tattoo ink, which breaks them down. During this breakdown, your skin will feel really irritated and make it so that your skin will super itchy. So make sure to avoid direct sunlight on your skin whenever you are outside, or else your tattoo will start to fade quicker than before.
8. Autoimmune disease
The tattoo ink in your skin and your immune system are in a constant battle. It treats the ink as a foreign body and constantly attacks it to try and get rid of it, even when it can’t fully break it down. So if you have an autoimmune disease like sarcoidosis or psoriasis, it is more likely the tattooed skin will feel irritated and itchy.
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Treating the Itch: 5 Treatments for Itchy Tattoos
Luckily, there are things that you can do to make sure that your tattoo is not itchy as it is. They range from simple to needing medication. So here are the ways that you can treat your itchy tattoos.
1. Sunscreen moisturizers
With your tattoo prone to drying out really quickly, you will need to moisturize it whenever it feels dry. These days, sunscreens have a moisturizing effect in them which makes a moisturizing sunscreen the perfect one to tackle two problems at once! The sunscreen part will help to protect your tattoo from the sun (needs to be at least SPF 30 to be effective) and the moisturizer will help the dry skin and give it back the hydration it needs! This will help to prevent itching to occur due to the dryness of your tattoos.
2. Creams and ointments
When your tattoo is already itchy, a simple sunscreen moisturizer won’t be enough. That is when you will be needing specific creams and ointments to counter that problem. Ointments that have anti-itching relief will be the best to soothe your skin and reduce the itchy sensation. Creams can help lock in the moisture of the tattooed skin to make sure that it does not feel dry and prevent it from feeling itchy. Make sure to apply only a thin layer and massage it into the skin and let it dry to get the best use out of it.
3. Cold or cool compress
A cool compress might be just what you need to reduce the overall swelling and itching sensation of your tattoo! It is also very simple to make a DIY cool compress. Get a towel and put it in cold water and then put it over your tattoo that is itchy for about 5 minutes. It will reduce the inflammation of your tattoo that is causing the itching and soothe your skin. You could also wrap some ice in a towel and put it over the tattoo to get the same effect! Make sure that you are not directly using the ice on your tattoo and move it around in a circular motion. This way your skin won’t cool down too fast and will help promote blood circulation in the affected area.
4. Natural soothers
When it comes to soothing your skin and reducing inflammation, nature has the best answer in aloe vera! The cooling and soothing properties of aloe vera will help to calm any swelling and inflammation and leave your skin feeling nice and cool. Just make sure that you are not allergic to aloe before using it! You can also use an oatmeal bath on your old tattoos to help stop the itching in the affected area.
5. OTC Medication
When nothing works, it is best to consult a doctor and get some over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help soothe your itching. Anti-itching medication will help a lot with your itching, but make sure to talk to a doctor first! It might be OTC, but there might be underlying issues that could complicate your current condition.
When to Go to the Doctor for Itchy Tattoo: 7 Signs
While relieving yourself of your itchy tattoo at home is fine, you should definitely know the signs that the tattoo needs to be seen by a doctor. Here are some of the signs that you need to consider when it becomes necessary to see a dermatologist.
- Severe swelling
- Pus oozing
- Itching worsening
- Scaling
- Long-term itching
- Fever
- Excessive redness
FAQs
Can I scratch my itchy tattoo?
Never scratch your tattoo, especially if they are new. It could hinder the healing process, ruin the ink, or make the skin feel worse.
Is removing an itchy tattoo good?
For old tattoos, it might be the only option to get laser removal of the tattoo. However, you should consider consulting a medical expert about the matter as they can tell you more about the safety and if it is possible to remove the itchy tattoo or not.
How long does an itchy tattoo last?
The itch should last until the top skin layer fully heals. This could take about 4 to 6 weeks for the itching to completely go away. If the itching stays after that or becomes too severe, get it checked by a dermatologist.
Final Thoughts
Itching might be a normal process in the healing of the tattoo, but there is more to meet the eye. Sometimes it could be a simple healing of a tattoo, but the itching could also be a result of an infection. Knowing the exact reason why your tattoo might be itchy is that it could be multiple things causing it at once! That is why you should observe the signs of your tattoo itching getting worse and make sure you go to a dermatologist accordingly.
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