you can become allergic to the ink at any time or any medicine that you are taking also. you can become allergic to it even though you have been on it for a very long time. so if you are having a reaction one thing is that it could be an allergic reaction but it could also just be something that is occurring in the area of the tattoo that has something to do with the tattoo but because there is pigment there you can't really see the skin clearly. so i would say that this is one time that even though you don't have insurance it is worth seeing a dermatologist to have the area evaluated to make sure that the skin is otherwise healthy. oftentimes with a simple cream they can knock out that allergic reaction if that's what it is or the hypersensitivity reaction another way of calling it or do a biopsy to see if there is anything else going on in that area that might be more serious that might need to be treated. it's also important to remember that itching is part of a tattoo's healing process. intense itching like want to scratch your arm off itching. when the old skin dies and flakes off the new skin growth itches like crazy for a few days before settling down. cool showers and your tattoo aftercare ointment gently massaged into the tattoo will help but all in all the itching will pass after the tattoo is healed. allergic reaction to the ink will look more like red speckles or spots all around your tattoo unusual oozing puss or smelly discharge. you will know within hours of receiving your tattoo if you are allergic to the ink. most tattoo pigments are completely organic and allergic reactions are rare - and most often to red ink. never put a first aid product or anti-itch lotion onto an unhealed tattoo you will first off be in a ton of pain and subsequently ruin your tattoo. - a tattoo artist.
the skin around my tattoo really itches. am i allergic to the ink? should i see a doctor? i don't have health insurance.