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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could It Be An Allergy To Have Persistent Bumps On Arms While Using Triple Antibiotic Ointment?

I am African American. I had a tattoo done 2 weeks ago. I was using a&d cream on it a few days later some bumps started to appear. There are a TON of bumps on my arm right now even after I stopped using the a&d cream. I have tried rubbing alcohol to dry it out also triple antibiotic ointment to try and reduce or get rid of the bumps. My question is since I am not seeing any results am I having an allergic reaction or is it something greater? The bumps are tiny not big there is no pus coming out however they are itchy and my arm hurts when pressure is applied.
posted on Sat, 22 Feb 2014
Twitter Sat, 22 Feb 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 24 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM

I would keep a possibility of Allergic contact dermatitis to tattoo pigment with secondary bacterial infection.

Itching and bumps that you see are due to Allergy to tattoo pigment. If I was your treating doctor I would have advised topical application of a steroid+antibiotic cream twice daily for 2 weeks along with an oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10mg once daily for symptomatic itch relief.

An oral antibiotic (from the penicillin group e.g Amoxycillin 500mg thrice daily for a week) is also warranted here, to take care of the secondary bacterial infection

regards
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Could It Be An Allergy To Have Persistent Bumps On Arms While Using Triple Antibiotic Ointment?

Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM I would keep a possibility of Allergic contact dermatitis to tattoo pigment with secondary bacterial infection. Itching and bumps that you see are due to Allergy to tattoo pigment. If I was your treating doctor I would have advised topical application of a steroid+antibiotic cream twice daily for 2 weeks along with an oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10mg once daily for symptomatic itch relief. An oral antibiotic (from the penicillin group e.g Amoxycillin 500mg thrice daily for a week) is also warranted here, to take care of the secondary bacterial infection regards