While a temporary elevation of a tattoo is a normal part of the body’s response, persistent or newly appearing raised areas can signal various underlying factors. Understanding these distinctions helps determine if the sensation is part of typical healing or warrants further attention.
Expected Temporary Raising
During initial tattoo healing, it is normal for the tattooed skin to be raised, swollen, and tender. This occurs because needle punctures create microscopic wounds in the skin’s dermal layer, initiating an inflammatory response to begin healing.
This inflammatory stage typically lasts for the first few days, characterized by redness, swelling, and warmth. As the skin repairs itself, scabs form, contributing to a raised sensation before flaking off within one to two weeks. The raised appearance usually subsides as the outer layer of skin heals, generally within two to four weeks, though underlying layers can take several months to fully recover.
Underlying Reasons for Persistent Raising
If a tattoo remains persistently raised or develops new raised areas long after the initial healing period, it indicates an underlying issue. Various factors can contribute, ranging from reactions to the ink itself to the body’s healing response or external influences.
Allergic reactions to tattoo ink components are a common cause of persistent raising. Tattoo inks, particularly red pigments, can contain various metals and chemicals that some individuals may be sensitive to. An allergic response can manifest as a rash, itching, redness, bumps, or swelling in the tattooed area, sometimes appearing months or even years after the tattoo. This is an immune system response where the body perceives the ink as foreign.
Scarring is another frequent reason for a raised tattoo, resulting from the body’s overproduction of collagen during healing. Hypertrophic scars are raised and typically remain within the boundaries of the original tattoo design, often appearing red or pink. Keloid scars are thicker, extend beyond the tattoo’s borders, and may continue to grow over time. These can form if the tattoo artist goes too deep into the skin or if improper aftercare, such as picking at scabs, disrupts healing.
Infections can also cause localized swelling and raising in a tattoo. Signs of an infected tattoo include excessive redness that spreads, warmth, increasing pain, pus or unusual discharge, and sometimes a fever. Infections can arise from unsterile equipment, contaminated ink, or inadequate aftercare, introducing bacteria into the skin.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can irritate existing tattoos and cause them to swell or become raised. Certain ink pigments, like those in yellow or red inks, may cause photo-aggravated reactions when exposed to sunlight, leading to swelling and redness.
Pre-existing or new skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema, can flare up on tattooed skin due to the trauma of tattooing. This phenomenon, known as the Koebner phenomenon, can trigger new lesions or exacerbate existing conditions within the tattooed area, leading to raised, itchy, or scaly patches.
Granulomas are another type of immune reaction where the body forms small, raised red bumps or nodules around foreign material. These reactions are less common but can occur with various ink colors, including red, green, blue, and black, and may develop months or even years after the tattoo. They represent the immune system’s attempt to wall off the ink it cannot eliminate.
Seeking Professional Guidance
If a raised tattoo is accompanied by concerning symptoms, it is advisable to seek professional medical guidance from a healthcare provider or dermatologist. Persistent pain, excessive swelling that extends beyond the tattoo, the presence of pus or unusual discharge, or a fever are all indicators that require prompt medical attention. Spreading redness, significant discomfort, or a rash that lasts longer than a week should also prompt a consultation.
Similarly, if the raising occurs long after the initial healing period and is accompanied by other symptoms like intense itching, blistering, or changes in skin texture, it could indicate an allergic reaction or an underlying skin condition. Early consultation can help diagnose the cause and prevent potential complications.