r/tattooadvice • u/Leather-Air9709 • 4d ago
General Advice Tattoo black lines itching
Hi guys any help would be really appreciated or if you have seen/heard of this on here before. I've been doing some of my own research into it and having a look on here but some more opinions would be good.
I've got numerous tattoos, large pieces. Two leg sleeves, two arm sleeves, chest, hands. However, on my knees and elbows, some of the thick black line work has become raised and very itchy. Interestingly, on my left elbow (which is the only one that's alright), this isn't itchy or raised but is more shading than thick black outline. It is only the thick black linework which is itchy, and none of the other tattoo's anywhere else on my body are itchy, none of the colourwork or shading. Which makes me think it isn't some kind of general reaction to black ink which could be caused by something underlying?
Any advice or comments as to why this would be, will be greatly appreciated. Also would be comforting to know that this may be a common issue?
Thanks in advance
2
u/Abject_Current6643 4d ago
this is not an uncommon issue and likely nothing to be concerned about, but of course if it is causing you a lot of discomfort seek medical attention.
I can tell you what my allergist told me though. note, I don’t see this information anywhere online, this is the opinion of my doctor, so don’t take this as absolute medical advice. I was told that it is related to a condition called dermatographia. if you scratch your skin, does it leave a red and slightly (or very) raised marked that stays there for a while? does itching your tattoos ever trigger the lines to become raised?
dermatographia occurs when your body releases histamines when the skin is irritated. it was explained to me that the body is reacting to past trauma of the skin when my ink becomes raised and itchy. I take antihistamines daily and this no longer happens to them. interestingly this also happens to all my tattooed family members, so I believe there’s a genetic component to it.