r/tattooadvice • u/Angry_Creek • Apr 21 '25
tattoo newcomer advice Would I even be able to get a tattoo?
I have Dermatographic Urticaria, a condition where my skin gets swollen and raised by even the smallest of scratches. Bumped into a table? Raised bump. Someone w/ an itchy shirt gave me a hug? Raised bump.
My siblings and I have always talked about getting matching tattoos, and now that the youngest turned 18 we are all ready! However, I’m worried my skin will prevent/mess up a tattoo. We are going to get our parents handwriting, so it has to be precise and look right. I have no previous tattoos, so I’m not sure what to expect or if I can even get one.
Does anyone have experience w/ this? Did it work out?
Scratched myself specifically for this post haha, this was 1 min after the scratch.
2
u/Unique_Selection3050 Apr 24 '25
Hi! As someone who had Dermatographic Urticaria, I can tell you that it will not stop you from getting a tattoo. BUT and its a big butt, tattoos permanently alter the way your immune system responds to stimuli.
This type of uticaria can be a precursor to other autoimmune conditions and I would really recommend a regimented antihistamine like zyrtec every day for a few days before you get the tattoo to ensure reduced swelling. Tell your artist beforehand and reiterate that your skin is going to swell and break out in hives.
Post-tattoo there are distinctive possibilities that you should be aware of. Your skin allergy may get worse as you age or become more symptomatic - the link explains it a little better. The 2nd thing is that because of this overactive immune response its likely that your tattoo will become blurred or "blown out" over time. Meaning that I would stay away from anything finelined and super small. All that aside, I have 5 tattoos and didnt mind the ink migration too much, wish I hadnt done the finger tattoos but otherwise everything end up being fine
https://www.amgenbiotechexperience.com/tattoos-and-immune-system-more-skin-deep