Can A Tattoo Cause Diarrhea (2025)

Tattoo flu is a common post-tattoo illness characterized by fever, chills, fatigue, soreness, weakness, swelling, and digestive issues like diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, soreness, weakness, and swelling around the tattoo. Tattoo flu can also lead to infections, skin reactions, and scarring.

Getting a tattoo can put additional stress on the body, which is already stressed with diarrhea. Some common symptoms include a high fever over 38.9°C, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgias, and diffuse macular hemorrhage. Tattooing can also lead to nausea, stomach cramps, bowel issues, and other problems.

Tattooing can also lead to infections from the introduction of bacteria, viruses, or other unwanted substances into the body through broken skin. Examples of foods that can cause inflammation and increase the risk of slow recovery and scarring include fresh sausage, smoked sausage, and ham.

In conclusion, tattoo flu is a common post-tattoo illness that can be caused by various factors, including the stress of getting a tattoo, the potential for infection, skin reactions, and scarring, and the potential for complications from the introduction of bacteria, viruses, or other unwanted substances into the body through broken skin. It is important to seek medical attention when experiencing symptoms related to tattoos.

How long does the tattoo flu last?

What is the prognosis for people with an infected tattoo? People with mild to moderate infections often make a full recovery. But it can take several months.

What causes tattoo infections?. Common causes include reactions to tattoo ink and ink diluted with nonsterile water.

Reactions to tattoo ink. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate tattoo ink. Even containers marked “sterile” can have bacteria and other substances in them. Contamination can happen after the ink leaves the manufacturer, even if the container is sealed.

Reactions can also stem from the ink itself. Ink is often made from or includes substances that may be harmful, including:

Is it common to get sick after a tattoo?

As you recover from your rad new tattoo, some flu-like symptoms might join up with your normal soreness and redness. Don’t panic. This “tattoo flu” is pretty common and should fade into memory in a few days (unlike your new tattoo). Your body’s immune system is making you feel wiped out while it attacks potential threats to your bod.

Be on the lookout for a mild fever, chills, fatigue, and some tummy discomfort. Pamper yourself with lots of rest, healthy food, and non-alcoholic bevs. But if your symptoms last longer than a couple of days or worsen, go see a doctor ASAP.

Anything that helps bolster your immune system is a plus, like staying hydrated, getting a good night’s sleep and eating healthy food. If, at the end of the day, you still feel nervy about getting a tatt, give yourself a skin art test run with a temporary tattoo. No needles involved.

Is tattoo ink toxic to the body?

Tattooing has not been directly linked to cancer, but some inks contain carcinogens, classified as known or possible carcinogens by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. A 2016 report from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, National Industrial Chemical’s Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), found a mismatch between content and labeling, as well as concern about certain components. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found in a fifth of the samples tested and in 83 of the black inks tested by NICNAS. Other hazardous components included barium, copper, mercury, amines, and various colorants. Tattoo ink is injected into the dermis, staying in the skin for a lifetime, and over time, macrophages may transport pigment into the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, exposing other tissue to potentially carcinogenic materials. A recent review found that the number of skin cancers in tattooed skin was low, but some carcinogens found in tattoo inks have been associated with cancers elsewhere in the body, such as the liver or bladder. If you are concerned, don’t get tattooed or ask if the inks used comply with the European standard known as ResAP1, which sets out the requirements and criteria for the safety of tattoos.

What are the symptoms of tattoo ink poisoning?

System toxicity occurs when heavy metals or carcinogens in tattoo inks are absorbed into the lymphatic system or bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body, manifesting harmful effects on the entire body or multiple organ systems, rather than just the area a tattoo was applied. Symptoms of systemic toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, organ damage, or even worse complications in extreme cases. Additionally, tattoo ink ingredients may interact with the immune system, potentially leading to autoimmune reactions or immune-related disorders.

This raises significant concerns about whether the composition of tattoo ink contributes to systemic toxicity, highlighting the importance of understanding the potential toxic nature of tattoo inks.

After a tattoo is applied and healed, an adverse reaction to tattoo ink is less likely since the ink is mostly stagnant in the skin. While the immune system will try to remove newly placed ink, the ink particles are too large to be removed naturally. However, this changes when someone decides to undergo laser tattoo removal.

What organ does tattoo ink affect?

Tattoo inks, which consist of colour pigments diluted in a carrier liquid, may contain up to 100 chemicals. Safety testing for the intended use in humans or animals is not performed before the inks are introduced to the market. About 10-40 of the ink volume – the pigment portion – is insoluble or poorly soluble in water and depends on the colour. The remaining 60-90 of the ink volume – the carrier liquid or solvent portion – is readily soluble in water and consists mainly of solvents, dispersants, plasticizers, and other auxiliaries, additives, and pollutants. Chemical analyses of tattoo inks consistently identify substances classified by the IARC Monographs programme as carcinogenic (Group 1), probably carcinogenic (Group 2A), or possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B) to humans.

The presence of these substances varies according to the color of the ink. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often present in inks with carbon black pigments, and primary aromatic amines (PAAs) are often present in inks with bright-coloured organic pigments. All these substances are found in both the solvent portion and the pigment portion of the ink, which are associated with a higher risk of various types of cancer, such as lung, kidney, liver, and bladder, depending on the substance. However, the exposure route of tattoo inks injected directly into the dermis differs significantly from more traditional uptake routes and remains unexplored in relation to its health effects.

The systemic absorption of tattoo inks can be divided into two phases: the solvent portion and the pigment portion. During the tattooing process, the tattoo ink is directly absorbed by the body through contact with the surrounding damaged blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The absorption of the solvent portion leads to rapid bioavailability of large amounts of its ingredients, including metals and PAAs, and their immediate metabolization. This acute exposure to the solvent portion may result in long-term damage to the individual being tattooed, as it may lead to irreversible DNA mutations and an increased lifelong risk of developing cancer.

What organs do tattoos affect?

Tattoo inks can have a harmful systemic long-term exposure to the pigment portion, which is transported from the skin to lymph nodes and potentially other organs over time. The extent of this transport is unknown in humans, but studies in animals have shown that color pigments originating from the pigment portion of the ink have been detected in diverse organs, such as the liver, spleen, and lungs, and red and black tattoo ink particles in the liver. This slow release could lead to a constant low-dose internal exposure to these substances, which may not be detectable with current measurement techniques.

Tattoo-induced carcinogenesis is very likely, and lymphomas are particularly concerning due to their development in the most exposed organs. Lymphomas comprise many heterogeneous neoplasms that develop in the lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the lymphatic system. The consequences of impaired immune function, such as in organ transplant recipients and HIV-positive individuals, in relation to cancer development are well established. The main known risk factors for lymphomas are infectious diseases associated with immunodeficiency, such as infection with HIV and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which may cause different types of lymphomas mediated by immunosuppression, disruption of normal cellular functions, chronic immune stimulation, abnormal T-cell activity, and oxidative stress.

In vitro studies have shown independent adverse effects of pigment load and pigment toxicity of zinc and cobalt pigments, metals frequently found in tattoo inks, on different immune and inflammatory markers. However, the potential carcinogenic effect of these pigment-induced processes remains largely unexplored. It is not known whether a high exposure to tattoo pigment particles in lymph nodes or the skin could trigger similar processes in humans.

What happens to your immune system after a tattoo?

Are distracted macrophages, full of pigment, interfering with their ability to seek out more dangerous invaders like pathogens? The consensus is no. Some researchers have argued that tattoos may be boosting the immune system. Anthropologists from the University of Alabama likened getting tattoos to going to the gym – each workout strengthens the body. Similarly, those with tattoos had higher antibodies and theorized they had a stronger immune system. 6.

Looking for more great content on tattoos and skin immunity?

ASCP’s Esty Talk episode 200, Tattoos and Skin Immunity, discusses the science behind wound healing, skin immunity, and the impact of tattoos on the body.

What are the side effects of having a tattoo?

The risks include:Allergic reactions. Tattoo ink can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. … Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. … Other skin problems. … Diseases spread through blood. … Skin reactions to an MRI.

You could be the proud owner of a new tattoo within just a few hours. But don’t let how easy it is to get a tattoo stop you from thinking carefully about permanent body art. Before you get a tattoo, know what’s involved and understand the risks.

How tattoos are done. A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin with tattoo ink. Usually, a tattoo artist uses a handheld machine that acts much like a sewing machine. The machine has needles that pierce the skin many times. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny drops of ink into the top layer of the skin.

Tattooing causes a small amount of bleeding and some pain. As they create tattoos, tattoos artists usually don’t use medicine to ease pain, called anesthetic.

Can tattoo ink cause stomach problems?

Risk Of Diarrhea, Swollen Abdomen, Rectal Hemorrhage. Citing the study, a People report stated that it analysed nine major tattoo ink brands in the US, and found that out of the 54 inks examined, 45 contained ‘undisclosed additives’ or pigments that are associated with health risks. Among them is ‘polyethylene glycol’ which, according to the National Institute of Health, is a medication used for the management and treatment of constipation. Its side effects mainly include flatulence, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, swollen abdomen, and rectal hemorrhage.

Skin Irritation, Kidney Damage. Besides that, researchers also discovered one more ‘potentially dangerous’ ingredient in the ink called ‘2-phenoxyethanol’. When high doses of the chemical come in contact with the skin, it can lead to skin, lung, and liver irritation, along with kidney and nerve damage. “We are hoping the manufacturers take this as an opportunity to reevaluate their processes, and that artists and clients take this as an opportunity to push for better labelling and manufacturing,” Swierk was quoted as saying in the study, titled ‘ What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market ‘. He added that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ‘still figuring out’ what that is going to look like. “… we think this study will influence the discussions around MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022).”

What Is MoCRA?. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 is the most significant expansion of FDA’s authority to regulate cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, which was passed in 1938. According to fda. gov, this new law will help ensure the safety of cosmetic products many consumers use daily.

What is the most painful tattoo spot?

Most painful places to get a tattooBehind the knee. … Rib cage. … Ankles, shins, knees and elbows. … Head, face, and ears. … Groin and inner thighs. … Hands, fingers, feet, and toes. … Inner bicep. … Upper thighs.

When it comes to getting a tattoo, most people will have a preconceived idea of what they want to get and where they want to get it, weeks before their appointment. Given the permanency of tattoos, it’s understandable that aesthetic is inevitably the primary consideration – but what about the tattoo pain scale ?

Understanding the common tattoo pain areas is definitely something to note prior to your appointment to avoid any kind of unpleasant surprises on the day. We’d hate to see anyone have to pull the pin half way through their inking because the pain was too unbearable.

To save you the trouble, here’s a list of the most and least painful places to get a tattoo.

Can getting a tattoo upset your stomach?

New or worse signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, hives, or itching. New or worse belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or a fever. Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.