Bumps on black ink

[JessicaRae]

Sudden bumps/swollen areas on black ink within 8 separate tattoos (1.5-4 years old) for approx 3 weeks now. They hurt sometimes, don’t really itch and are sometimes sore to the touch. My doctor thinks it’s a delayed reaction to the ink or hypertrophic scarring that’s showing and will go down... Its very alarming to see these bumps all over my tattoos! The tattoos are located on my feet, fingers, arm and thigh.  They’re not ingrown hairs, razor burn, pimples etc. No change in general medication.  I am 10 weeks postpartum and my doctor suggested maybe it’s hormonal but... I just don’t think that’s it.  Benedryl topically or orally doesn't seem to help either. Wondering if anyone has any insight or previous experience?

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by JessicaRae
More photos

[SStu]

Sorry, but new to me . . . 

[Hogrider]

I've never seen that. Are you moisturizing them? It kind of looks like too much moisturizer. I'm not a doctor, but what the doctor said makes sense to me. 

[Decay]

I am sorry for intruding, but have your doctor discussed with you an option of biopsy? I went to the doctor with similar issue and that's what he said can be done to understand what's happening in the bumps and so to treat them appropriately

[JessicaRae]

Not overdoing moisturizing to my knowledge.  It happened suddenly and got worse then maintained intensity.  The only change is weather recently but he didn't seem to think this was the cause.  I was thinking perhaps it was from a pedicure then i realized it was also on my thigh, arm, and fingers...  Trying to patiently wait for the swelling/bumps to go down like my doctor suggested but it's easier said than done as I'm a bit of a worrier. 

My doctor did not mention biopsy.  You said you dealt with a similar issue?  What was the verdict, if any? 

[Gingerninja]

Wow, girl...never seen this before. Since you are 10 weeks postpartum, I just can't help thinking that it's somehow related. Maybe you are allergic to something with the baby (not your baby) but like the soap, lotions, diapers or something?

[JessicaRae]

Really crazy, huh?  Nope, nothing like that. I wondered about the anesthesia because I had an emergency c section as I wasn’t dilating, but doctor confirmed that wouldn’t have taken so long.  Just sooooo incredibly strange considering none of these are new and I have other tattoos all over that aren’t suffering.  Dynamic Ink was the ink used and the artist had a heavy hand, can’t help but wonder if in these spots, perhaps the ink went a little further and/or I’m just now reacting to this ink? Or?!  I have no idea.  They actually have itched a little today.  More recently, especially on my finger tattoos, it almost feels like the ink is going to burst out of my skin.   I’m a science project 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Decay]

JessicaRay, no verdict, unfortunately.

My bumps were smaller and just went away one day all of the sudden leaving a bit raised lines.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Decay

[Gingerninja]

I really think that you are having an allergic reaction to something... I'd go to a dermatologist and/or talk to my artist(s) to see if they have any guesses/insights. The fact that your tattoo's are itchy makes me think it's an allergy.

[SStu]

18 hours ago, JessicaRae said:

Not overdoing moisturizing to my knowledge.  

Certainly you should try NO moisturizing, if you are still doing so . . . 

[JessicaRae]

No moisturizer since.

[bbontheb]

Sarcoidosis... See your dermatologist/Dr.

[JessicaRae]

I asked my doctor about sarcoidosis and he said no 😕 but I thought that as well... 

[Gingerninja]

Are you still bumpy? 

[JessicaRae]

@Gingerninja yes ma’am.  Everything exactly the same. 😩😭

[Sol James]

It seems to be mostly on the line work, does it not? Rather than on shaded areas.... the line work on mine sometimes raises when I’m very hot.. Granted, it’s never in lumps like that, nor is it as much.

Sorry I can’t help with a diagnosis. Do you mind me asking why you’ve dismissed pregnancy as a cause? My wife has just had a baby and it’s crazy how the body reacts! 

[bbontheb]

Did the Dr recommend seeing a dermatologist? Should do a biopsy to confirm.

[JessicaRae]

@bbontheb I scheduled an appointment with my dermatologist after that just to make sure.  Doctors thought I may have sarcoidosis years ago but ruled it out... however the symptoms have arised again and this one.... Hopefully it’s just some strange delayed reaction 😭

[JessicaRae]

@Sol James I’ve also had ink raise before but now it’s over 1 month and bumps... it is mostly on line work and a couple within the shading on my right foot.  They are still sore when I bump them and have been a little itchy again.  I think being postpartum could be a reason my body is reacting to the ink or tattoos in general.  Hormones all over the place... perhaps my body is attacking the ink and it’ll take time for it to realize its not a threat.  I’ll be sure to post updates, I know it’s a curious topic 😞 

[el twe]

I had some weird bumps come up in the color shading of one of my tattoos, and ended up vitamin E oil on the spots.  That helped clear them up quite a bit, although it was certainly a different case than what you have.  Still might be worth a shot if you don't get any other answers...

[JessicaRae]

Hey everyone! Finally had my biopsy appointment and results.  Sarcoid granulomas. 😞  @bbontheb 

[scottyg]

2 hours ago, JessicaRae said:

Hey everyone! Finally had my biopsy appointment and results.  Sarcoid granulomas. 😞  @bbontheb 

jesus!

so is this unrelated to the tattoo? the tattoo just exacerbated it?

very sorry to hear this.

[Gingerninja]

Oh, no! I am sorry to hear of the diagnosis but at least you know what's going on. 

[JessicaRae]

For some reason, some people that have black ink tattoos with sarcoidosis have this happen.  They're not sure why the sarcoid granulomas only seem to go after the black ink but here we are!  Healing my body now through food and not going to consume 23902038 steroids just to remove these.  I hope to post after photos in no time.  

Thank you all for your help and concern!  xo

[Spirttattoos]

I have bumps on my tattoo. They get itchy time to time, I think it’s just sweat bumps or pimples but I wanted to get someone’s opinion. I know they’re hard to see. Sorry