What Is Tattoo Flu?

It sounds dramatic. But don’t panic. Tattoo flu isn’t some terrifying new virus or a sign your new tattoo’s going rogue. It’s just your body throwing a bit of a tantrum after getting stabbed repeatedly by a needle for hours on end.

In reality, tattoo flu is pretty common. And, thankfully, it’s totally manageable too.

The key questions you’re probably asking initially are:

• What is tattoo flu?
• Why do I feel ill after getting a tattoo?
• How do I make it go away?

We’ve got the answers. So, keep reading for a blow-by-blow account of flu after tattoo, how to deal with it, and how to avoid it next time.

Tattoo Flu isn’t a medical condition. But tattoo flu symptoms are a well-known phenomenon among tattoo artists and enthusiasts.

It’s basically your body's way of saying, “Jeez, what’s just happened?!”

The thing is, a tattoo looks cool. But your immune system and tattoos are at natural odds. This is because a tattoo is a big wound as far as your immune system’s concerned. You’ve just been repeatedly stabbed with a needle for an extended period. And your body is working overtime to heal it.

This triggers an immune response that can make you feel run-down, sore, and slightly feverish, like how your body reacts to a cold. And that, friends, is tattoo flu.

It can be confusing to know if you’re suffering from flu after a tattoo or something more serious. Here’s a handy checklist of tattoo flu symptoms to help you understand what you’re dealing with if you’re not feeling yourself:

Mild fever

It’s uncomfortable. But a low-grade fever is normal while your body is healing.

Fatigue

Your immune system and tattoos aren’t seeing eye to eye just yet. So, your immune system is working extra hard to compensate. This is why you might feel wiped out.

Body aches

It’s the norm to feel like you went too hard at the gym, (minus the gains).

Chills

The shivers are just your body adjusting to the trauma.

Headache

Dehydration + stress = throbbing head pain.

Nausea

You might feel slightly sick while your body is in post-tattoo overdrive.

Loss of appetite

It’s your system being too busy healing to think about food.

Swollen lymph nodes

A surefire sign your immune system is on duty and working overtime.

Not everyone gets tattoo flu. And not everyone with multiple tattoos gets it every time, after every tattoo. But here’s why your body might be having a diva strop if you’re unlucky:

Your immune system is throwing a wobbler

We’ve already mentioned how the immune system and tattoos aren’t exactly NBFs in the early days. Your skin has been repeatedly punctured, after all. And your body is treating it like an injury. White blood cells rush in to protect the area. And this is what causes inflammation and tattoo flu symptoms.

Big tattoos = big reactions

A small wrist tattoo will probably be fine. But a gigantic back piece? Your immune system is about to lose its mind! That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll definitely experience tattoo flu symptoms. But it’s more likely.

Placement matters

Tattoos in highly sensitive areas like the ribs, spine, or feet mean more trauma and, in turn, a higher chance of feeling sick after a tattoo. Want to know which tattoos hurt the most? Check out the the Tattoo Pain Chart!

These are the key culprits. But there are also others that can cause unwanted tattoo side effects. (Thankfully, you can take measures to counteract them.)

There are some common-sense do’s and don’ts to be mindful of when you’re getting a tattoo done. Stay on the right side of them, and you’ll vastly reduce the risk of tattoo flu symptoms afterwards:

Dehydration

You lose fluids during a long session. This is why you’ll feel rotten if you don’t replace them.

Low blood sugar

Your body’s already running on empty if you didn’t eat before your session. So, make sure you’re fully nourished ahead of your session.

Lack of sleep

A tired body = a cranky immune system. And you’ve probably got the gist by now where this might be heading!

Already unwell

It’s a bad idea to get a tattoo if you’re already under the weather. And just, why would you, really?

Stress and anxiety

Your body is more reactive when you’re mentally drained. So, perhaps leave it until you’re in a better place holistically, rather than pushing ahead when you’re not in the right headspace.

At the end of the day, prevention is better than cure. And there’s plenty you can do across the tattooing process to put safety measures in place.

You can’t 100% guarantee you won’t get tattoo flu. But you can lower your chances, before, during, and after you’ve been inked:

The good news is tattoo flu doesn’t last forever. In fact, you should feel better within 24-72 hours in most cases.

But, how long you feel like shit depends on your unique combination of factors, including:

• Your overall health - A strong immune system = faster recovery.
• How well you hydrate and eat - Another reminder to fuel your body before, during and after inking.
• Tattoo size and location - Larger, more painful tattoos are likely to cause bigger issues and call for longer recovery times.

The key is to keep an eye on what your body’s telling you. And check in with your GP if you’re still feeling like crap a few days later, or if your tattoo flu symptoms are getting worse.

Feeling sick after a tattoo sucks. But you shouldn’t have to suffer tattoo side effects for too long with our top tattoo healing tips:

In addition to cleanliness, moisturisation is godliness.

Well, we’ve already mentioned Hustle Bubbles Deluxe® Foam Wash for cleanliness. But, what about a tattoo aftercare product round-up for recovery? Seeing as you asked…

In addition, all of these leading tattoo aftercare products are brilliant for keeping nasty infections at bay, besides flu. So, it’s worth quickly running through the different symptoms, because tattoo flu and infections aren’t one and the same thing.

You can typically expect tattoo flu symptoms to subside in 24-72 hours. But make an appointment with your GP if you’re experiencing any of the following tattoo side effects. They might be signs of something more sinister at play:

• Fever over 38°C (100.4°F) and climbing
• Pus, excessive oozing, or a foul smell from your tattoo
• Severe redness or red streaks spreading away from the tattoo
• Intense pain that isn’t getting any better
• Swelling that keeps on getting worse instead of going down

Can you avoid it completely?

Unfortunately, there’s no hard and fast guarantee against it. But prepping your body before the session gives you the best chance of emerging unscathed.

Is it dangerous?

No. It’s annoying. And you’ll feel rubbish. But this too shall pass. Just rest, hydrate, and you’ll be fine.

Can you work out with tattoo flu symptoms?

It’s probably not the best idea. Your body’s telling you it needs rest. So, listen to it. And give it a day or two before circuit training or spinning again.

Does flu mean my tattoo is infected?

No. You should be ok if you’re feeling slightly run-down but your tattoo looks fine. Conversely, it’s time to see your doctor if there’s pus, abnormal pain levels, or red streaks.

It can be frustrating and a real comedown to get tattoo flu. But think of it like this… It’s a small price to pay for sick new ink. And it’ll usually clear up in a few days. You’ll soon be back to normal. Just take care of yourself, rest, and drink all the water you can force down your throat.

And always, always keep yourself stocked up on tattoo aftercare products.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, our skin-friendly solutions are professionally formulated to keep your tattoo looking fresh and your body feeling great. Shop now to take advantage of our full range of leading tattoo aftercare.