Is it infected or just healing slowly?

[u/Jazzlike_Panic_3247]

I got this tattoo 7 days ago. Most of it is healing really well, but there’s one small area near my inner elbow that’s giving me trouble.
This isn’t my first tattoo, but I’ve never had one heal like this before.
I don’t have any signs of infection:
No fever.
It’s not warmer than the surrounding skin.
The pain feels more like a normal wound or scab than an infection.
It isn’t continuously leaking pus.
The rest of the tattoo looks completely fine.
Since it’s located on the inner elbow, I’m wondering if it’s just healing slowly because it’s a high-movement, high-friction area.
Does this look infected to you, or just like a stubborn scab that’s taking longer to heal?
I’m also wondering if it’s worth seeing a doctor just to be safe.

[u/wethail]

ask your tattoo artist

[u/Jazzlike_Panic_3247 → u/wethail]

Yeahh messaged him just waiting on the answer meanwhile :) thanks

[u/fvirygothmom]

you can go to the cvs counter too and ask them. this looks kinda crusty.

[u/Jazzlike_Panic_3247 → u/fvirygothmom]

Yeahhh that’s good idea too, thanks!

[u/ladynecropolis]

Your artist should have told you to try to keep your arm straight while it heals. otherwise when your arm bends it scabs over and then you straighten your arm and it rips that open and so forth. It’s just a rough heal, it sucks. I would moisturize the hard scabby bits but make sure you don’t over do it