Hi all, I know it’s been a while, but sometimes life takes over. And that’s okay. That’s real life. We can all beat ourselves up about the things we don’t get around to doing, but it’s a better idea to give ourselves a pat on the back for the things we do get around to doing.
One such thing that I have to congratulate myself for is my bravery in getting a tattoo.
It was something that I’ve wanted for a long time, but I never had the courage to go through with it, my status as chicken being something I touched on in a previous post: https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/terrifying-thrills/
Although very proud of my tattoo, and very proud of my bravery, this post comes with a word of warning to those who are thinking of getting a tattoo. While I would normally be the last person to try to dissuade a person from expressing their individuality, from throwing caution to the wind and doing what their heart desires, what I have been through in the last couple of months means that I must, because I care about my fellow human beings, issue this word of caution.
Yes, the tattoo was painful. Did I survive it? Yes. Was the pain manageable? Yes. Immediately after getting it would I have recommended the process to others? Yes. Would I have ever gone through it again? No. Did I regret it? Absolutely not.
Then, what changed? you ask.
Well, in subsequent days I developed a rash around the tattoo. Nothing to be too alarmed about, as it was just a reaction to the colours. As some of you who have read my posts on sleep are aware, I am partial to natural remedies.
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/sleep-who-needs-it-anyway/
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/sleep-glorious-sleep/
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/sleep-glorious-sleep-part-2/
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/sleep-glorious-sleep-part-3/
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/sleep-glorious-sleep-part-4/
https://yvonnemcevaddy.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/sleep-glorious-sleep-part-5/
So I treated these spots, which resembled chicken pox, with tea tree and lavender oil. Which worked a treat. Until a spot developed on the tattoo itself. This spot I was afraid to go near with lavender and tea tree oil as the skin was sensitive. So I left it alone.
And then it happened. The spot got infected. This was not through me picking at it – as I said, I was afraid to go near it. The infection was not as a result of poor practice in the tattoo parlour – I had watched as the tattoo artist unwrapped sterile needles. He wore gloves. I was completely confident that I was in a reputable place. Sometimes these things just happen.
I went to the doctor and was put on a double dose of very strong antibiotics for three weeks. Then all was good. Or so it seemed. For a week or so everything was hunky dory. Then a few more spots appeared in random places around my body. Again I treated these with lavender and tea tree oils. They responded well. Until one spot got infected. Two more weeks of very strong antibiotics ensued, followed by three weeks of an antibiotic/steroid cream, which I am still using. I am also bathing regularly in lavender and tea tree oil, hoping that this will help the healing process.
I really hope my sensitivity to the ink settles down soon, as the last thing I want to have to do is have the tattoo removed. More pain, and yes more money.
If you have had a similar experience please feel free to share in the comments below. Or, if you have had a wonderful tattoo experience, please share that too. Any words of wisdom or advice are always welcome. And if you are thinking of getting a tattoo, I wouldn’t say don’t get one, but I will say, please take a bit of extra time to think again and get a skin sensitivity test. And if after all that, you still want a tattoo, I wish you the best of luck with it.
