How To Heal An Infected Tattoo

By Nidhi Nangia, Writer and researcher. Updated: October 20, 2026

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Tattoos have become extremely popular over the last decades, but they can be a little risky at times. Whether it is your first tattoo or fifth, each tattoo will give you an all-new experience for sure. Most tattoos heal without any problems, but sometimes they may cause an infection. You have an increased risk of having an infected tattoo if you don’t take proper care of it and don’t follow the hygiene rules prescribed by your tattoo artist. Here at OneHowTo.com, we are going to discuss how to heal an infected tattoo.

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Signs of a tattoo infection

Most people don't identify an infection, as they take the symptoms as a part of the healing process, especially if it's their first tattoo. They don’t know what to expect, and thus ignore the symptoms of a tattoo infection. First of all, you need to know what signs to look for if you have got a tattoo recently. Here are some signs of a tattoo infection. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and an infection can worsen quickly; seek medical advice if symptoms get worse or you feel unwell:

Extreme irritation or redness: Mild irritation, redness and heat are normal on a new tattoo, but they are expected to decrease soon. But if your tattoo has become bright red in color and has started forming bubbles, then take it as a sign of infection.
Fever: Check your temperature with a thermometer. If it has even slightly increased, it is a sign of infection.
Pain: Pain is normal during and after getting the tattoo, but it should decrease within hours. But if your pain worsens, then it’s an infection.
Swelling: Little swelling is normal, but if it worsens and does not decrease within 24 hours, it’s an infection.
Unpleasant odor: If your tattoo smells unusual, it’s an infection.
Discharge: If pus is coming from the tattoo, it’s a sign of infection.
Red streaks: If you see red streaks forming on and around the tattoo, they may indicate a serious infection that is spreading. Seek medical attention immediately.

You can also click here to know in detail How to tell if a new tattoo is infected.

Treating an infected tattoo

If you have developed any signs of tattoo infection, then you should consult your tattoo artist immediately. Your artist can advise you about aftercare, but a healthcare professional should assess a suspected infection. If you have a fever, spreading redness, or feel very unwell, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for your artist’s reply.

If a healthcare professional confirms an infection, they may treat it with antibiotics, depending on its cause and severity. If the infection is severe, they may also order blood tests. Topical ointments like A+D Ointment, Neosporin or Bacitracin can be prescribed to be applied to the infection. Use any ointment only as directed by your doctor.

After applying the ointment, you may also cover it with a bandage to keep it away from bacteria and germs. Make sure you keep the tattoo dry, even while taking a shower. Also avoid exposure to sunlight. If you need to go out, cover it with loose, clean clothing and avoid applying sunscreen to broken or infected skin. Applying a cold pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the infected tattoo can also help in reducing swelling and itching, but make sure that you don’t apply ice directly on the skin, as it may cause serious tissue damage at times. Wash your hands before touching the area, and avoid scratching, picking, or removing scabs, as this can irritate the skin and interfere with healing.