An important lesson in avoiding a tattoo and body piercing infection is to not get one in the first place! However, there are some simple things you can do to avoid these infections.

Body piercings have a greater risk of infection because they actually invade the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. For this reason, more caution is required to prevent infection. Maintaining the area with washings and using the cream that your professional piercer or tattoo artist provides with their service.

Body piercings that are botched gets easily infected. So in order to avoid the infection you must go to a piercer with a very good reputation that will provide you with germ-free needles and materials. This is the first preventive step you can take.

Tattooing has a low risk in getting an infection due to the way they are given. The tattoo ink is introduced into the dermis, an upper layer of the skin. Bleeding may occur but this is normal. Tattoo needles are shallow and hold low risk of infection.

Make sure your tattoo artist is reputable and uses sterile equipment. Most experienced artists have their own autoclave to sterilize their own equipment. The main risk of infection with a tattoo is hepatitis C from using a dirty needle.

Inflammation, cloudy seepage, greenish scabbing, redness and tenderness on the site are some of the signs of an infection. Swelling, redness and itching on the area may be signs of an allergic reaction. You must inform your piercer or tattoo artist to any allergies to products because they might be using a product with latex. Sensitivity to inks may also cause allergic reactions.

Although most piercings and tattoos are painful to begin with, this pain should subside within a few days to a week. If yours shows no sign of healing, you should contact your piercer or tattooist and let them look at it. In many cases they can tell you what you need to do to clear up any minor infection.

Lastly, if you get an infection that is not a normal skin irritation you must get help of a physician. You may need to take antibiotics to get rid your body of the infection. Many times this can be cured without losing the piercing and without damaging your tattoo.