What many people do not realize before they get a tattoo is that all tattoos have a reaction. The tattoos area will therefore become slightly inflamed, may shed fluid, and even form a scab. All this is normal, and a good tattooist will inform you in advance.

The wound caused by the tattooing process takes about a week to heal and during that time should be treated just like any other wound. Too much exposure to sunlight, swimming, soaking, etc. will result in infection and an itchy tattoo.

Tattoo

Itchy tattoo
An itchy tattoo may or may not be serious, and everything comes down to the nature of the infection and the individual. In many cases, the infection results in an inflammation that is very painful, but will go away on treatment with antibiotics. In some cases, however, the infection can be more serious. In which case, consultation with a doctor may be needed. This is because of the wide preferences in the ink used by tattooists.

You would be surprised to know that even a natural product like henna has not been approved for injection under the skin, and the FDA only allows it to be used as a hair dye. Although tattooing as such is subject to regulations by the FDA, the ink used is not. The inks come under the classification of cosmetics, and therefore, do not even require testing before use.

Many of the inks used are car paint or printer ink, and even the really good quality tattoo artists do not really have "tested ink". At the most, you will get ink that has been used before and has not shown any adverse reaction, but there is still no guarantee of its safety. Many of the inks used have also shown a propensity to travel to the lymph nodes and into the lymphatic system, although the consequences of this is not known.
Itchy tattoo remedy
The only itchy tattoo relief is antibiotics. Tattooing causes skin inflammation but it responds to most broad spectrum antibiotics. Invariably the inflammation subsides and the body accepts the ink.

Good tattoo artists, however, ensure that they apply antibacterial creams on the tattoo site and ask you not to soak in water and instead just wash the area with warm soapy water to keep it clean. Usually, this is a sufficient remedy to ensure that no infection sets in, although you will still have some itchiness and inflammation, which is the body’s reaction to the ink.