What is Tattoo Flu? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Tattoo is a permanent mark that is designed on your skin by injecting ink to the dermis which is the second layer below the outer layer epidermis.

However, getting a tattoo is a pretty cool experience, but how about when you start feeling a little sick afterwards? You might be suffering from something called tattoo flu.

Guess what? This term doesn’t actually have a medical meaning, but the symptoms like flu, after getting in are pretty real for people.

These may include extreme fatigue and chills, muscle aches, or even a mild fever. Knowing what this flu is, what causes it, and how to manage or prevent it, you’ll feel much better sooner and be able to enjoy your new tattoo without any problems.

So let’s understand and learn about this flu, its symptoms, causes and how you can get rid of it.

What Is Tattoo Flu ?

It is not truly a flu virus, the symptoms of this virus are similar to the actual flu viral. Your body identifies the tattoo as an injury, and your immune system goes into healing mode, which could make you quite ill. This is a normal constituent process of healing, but it can be quite uncomfortable.

In some of the cases, the symptoms of this flu are mild and they are short lived which means they only last for a couple of days. But, sometimes flu can be uncomfortable, especially when someone gets larger or more complex tattoos that require multiple sessions.

Always remember that this reaction is a part of your body’s natural healing process.

What Causes Tattoo Flu ?

This viral flu is caused due to the trauma you get after getting a tattoo done. Your body naturally reacts like this when you get a tattoo. The small punctures in your skin when the tattoo needle gets through are, in a way such as small wounds.

Your immune system will then send white blood cells to the area to start the healing process, followed by an inflammatory response. It’s your body’s way of defending itself, but it can also lead to these tattoo flu symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue.

In addition, one can add the stress a body endures while sitting for hours through the tattoo session itself or the adrenaline rush one may get from that mix, which makes a person really quite unwell.

These symptoms can be increased by physical and emotional stress due to sitting through a long tattoo session. This discomfort is called adrenaline and when it wears off, you may just feel very tired.

Although this illness is usually mild and short-lived, it sets in that your body is really going through a lot physically. Aftercare, hydration, and rest are important to aid in the healing process and minimize discomfort.

Tattoo Flu Symptoms

Tattoo flu symptoms are very individual and may include the following:

1. Fatigue

You can become extremely fatigued, which is universal because your body is using additional energy to heal the tattoo.

2. Fever

A slight fever can be noted to be a part of the body’s inflammatory response.

3. Chills

You can also experience being cold or shivery while your temperature changes.

4. Muscle Aches

Similar to the regular flu, you can have aching sensations in your body.

5. Headache

Headaches are also reported by some, probably due to the stress or dehydration.

6. Nausea

You may feel somewhat nauseous, especially if the tattoo session was long or very painful.

It is usually a day or two after getting the tattoo done and most of these symptoms set in therefore, when one wonders when does this start, the answer would be within this period.

How Long Does Tattoo Flu Last ?

Have you ever wondered that how long this flu lasts? The good news is that typically it does not last that long.

Most of them pass the so-called illness within 1 to 3 days. Again, this depends on the size and location of the tattoo, your general health, and how nicely you take care of the tattooed area.

If symptoms last more than a few days, or if they feel like they might be getting worse, seek a professional clinician to make sure it’s not an infection or complication.

How To Get Rid Of Tattoo Flu

If you are experiencing this illness, then these steps will definitely help you get in a better condition:

1. Rest

Your body is healing, so give it some time. Get enough sleep and avoid any strenuous activities.

2. Stay Hydrated

Water intake can help flush out all the toxins that your body wants to get rid of, and it may also help in the reduction of some symptoms like headaches and fatigue.

3. Eat Well

A balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals keeps the immune system going.

4. Take Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be used to bring down fever, muscle aches, and headaches.

5. Following the Aftercare Instructions

Make sure proper care for your tattoo is taken. Keep the area clean and moisturized but not scratched or picked at.

This will help the tattoo to heal more quickly and minimize the threat of infection.

By following these steps, you’ll fasten up the recovery period and be able to get back to your feet.

How To Prevent this illness

The avoidance of this virus cannot always be possible, but some things may be done to reduce the risk of experiencing it:

1. Get a good and highly professional tattoo artist

Make sure that he or she is following rigorous hygiene rules. In this case, infection will be prevented, excluding the possibility of symptoms of this flu.

2. Get Your Body Ready

Eat well and be well-hydrated with water. Do not drink alcohol after getting a tattoo done. All this helps your body to sustain the tension of getting tattooed.

3. Take breaks during long sessions

If your tattoo is big or intricate, this may take several hours. Give yourself short breaks from your artist and not overstress your body.

4. Boost Your Immune System

Prioritize your health in the lead-up days to your tattoo. Sufficient sleep, good food, and less stress can significantly strengthen your immune system.

With these tattoo flu treatment, you will be able to minimize the risks of catching flu and recover smoothly instead.

Conclusion

In the end, I would suggest that you should take an extreme care of yourself after getting a tattoo done. Pay attention to your body and the reactions after tattoo, such as symptoms of tattoo.flu, is crucial for a smooth healing process. By following the steps to prevent the flu you can get rid of it and stay active.

If you experience severe symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. With the right care and awareness, you can enjoy your new tattoo and stay healthy throughout the healing process.

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