I think my situation is pretty rare, but mine flare up periodically, maybe every other year, almost on a schedule.
It usually starts in one of the reds, and spreads inch by inch over the course of a few weeks. It gets raised and itches like crazy, and lasts 2-3 days in a small area before spreading. It's a real struggle not to scratch.
Unfortunately 1/4 of my body is essentially one giant tattoo, so it's got plenty of room to spread. The small patches of surrounding un-inked skin are completely unaffected, so I suspect it's definitely the ink.
When the first red tattoo I got REALLY swelled up, the tattoer told me it's rare but he'd seem it before, and some people don't take red well. From what I understand the red ink 20 years ago was formulated differently than now. I'm not entirely convinced it's just that color, because all of mine itch.
Hey, I would definitely get that checked out with a dermatologist. Tattoos flaring up WITH swelling is a strong indication of a systemic allergic reaction to the ink. Tattoo ink migrates around the body and among other things deposits in lymph nodes; Which may then also exhibit the same allergic reaction overtime. Do not underestimate the severity of the potential fallout.
It usually starts in one of the reds, and spreads inch by inch over the course of a few weeks. It gets raised and itches like crazy, and lasts 2-3 days in a small area before spreading. It's a real struggle not to scratch.
Unfortunately 1/4 of my body is essentially one giant tattoo, so it's got plenty of room to spread. The small patches of surrounding un-inked skin are completely unaffected, so I suspect it's definitely the ink.
When the first red tattoo I got REALLY swelled up, the tattoer told me it's rare but he'd seem it before, and some people don't take red well. From what I understand the red ink 20 years ago was formulated differently than now. I'm not entirely convinced it's just that color, because all of mine itch.