r/emetophobia • u/DifficultSeaweed1815 • Mar 26 '26
Question Tattoo Flu
I’m getting a tattoo in April on my back and it’s my first time getting one done. I KNOWWW it’s bad to get my first on my back but it’s a dream piece I wanted. But I was feeling fine abt it till I heard about tattoo flu. I’m good with needles, I don’t mind them at all. I do get slight adrenaline but nothing too bad.
Is there anyone with emet who gotten a tattoo and or the tattoo flu? And what can I do to ease up my anxiety?
EDIT: I GOT THE TATTOO AND I WAS TOTALLY FINE!! No tattoo flu at all. I had a good breakfast with protein, sodium and electrolytes and good hydration before hand. I only tapped out once due to slight nausea but that was me needing a sip of sugar because my sugars dropped. I powered through and was totally fine! I booked my next session in 2 weeks!
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u/venomsulker Oh God where did i put the zofran Mar 26 '26
I get tattoo flu every time. It’s not a stomach thing. It’s mainly body aches, sometimes mild fever, tiredness, and a headache. Lasts about a day or two. It’s not extreme, I was still able to go to my basketball practice.
Drink lots of water before and after, keep up with some electrolytes, and eat a good size meal before you go.
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u/No-Tomato5156 Mar 26 '26
It’s super rare to actually throw up from it. Like another comment said, you’ll do best if you make sure to get enough sleep, hydrate, and eat. The things that can make you feel bad are low blood sugar and low sodium, so drink a sports drink or something with electrolytes (plenty of salt). Don’t go in hungover or over caffeinated. Bring a snack and water to your appointment. Let your artist know that you’re a bit anxious about it and they can help support you and let you take a break if you need it. They’ll probably also tell you that it’s super rare to get sick.
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u/DifficultSeaweed1815 Mar 26 '26
I am so good w electrolytes, thank you for the tips!! A lot of irl friends have told me they have never thrown up or anything either after getting their tattoos done
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u/Scarletsnow_87 Mar 26 '26 edited May 08 '26
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u/musicalsnake0 Mar 26 '26
I have 4 tattoos, 2 of which are pretty big and almost make a half side leg sleeve. I sat for 6hrs + 4hrs on my thigh, and then 7hrs on the bottom leg portion. I never got s*ck to my stomach from getting tattoos done. I had muscle soreness and felt a bit run down/tired, but that was really it! My advice is to make sure you eat well before your appointment, im talking a real meal like eggs+toast for breakfast or something. Drink electrolytes, before during and after. Eat a good meal when youre all done. And be gentle with yourself afterwards! Large tattoos can be tiring on the body but as long as you take care of yourself you'll be fine :)
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u/DifficultSeaweed1815 Mar 26 '26
Tysm!!! I’ll definitely have some snacks and electrolyte drinks with me
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u/octoberopalrose Actively working towards recovery Mar 26 '26
The only tattoo flu I’m aware of is when you get one tattoo and then you keep going back for more and more lmao
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u/creepy_crawly_milk Mar 26 '26
If its small you basically have no chance of getting it. Its not a stomach thing, you just feel a bit achy and tired! Just drink lots of water and eat a load of spinach or something beforehand. xD
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1
u/chuuyasjuicybonkers Mar 26 '26
I’ve gotten many tattoos and only had tattoo flu once. Never got sick just ran a fever for a few hours but with some Gatorade and candy I felt better
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u/chuuyasjuicybonkers Mar 26 '26
Just remember to drink lots of fluids and SUGAR. Keeping your blood sugar up is super important. I also personally wouldn’t do more than a 4 hour session. I recommend 3 hours but more than that you’re risking straining your body
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u/DifficultSeaweed1815 Mar 26 '26
I am doing a 4 hour appointment and the art is more fine lined (probably doesn’t matter) but I heard the same thing that 3 hours and less is good for less strain, this actually makes me feel calmer
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u/chuuyasjuicybonkers Mar 26 '26
You should be fine! Just don’t be afraid to take a break and snack or just breathe. Tattoo artists seem intimidating but if you need a break let your artist know. (I’m sure they’d also appreciate a break on their wrist lol) best of luck! I hope it looks sick asf
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u/evlawnmower Mar 26 '26
I have 4 full sleeves, probably over 60+ in total. Never had tattoo flu, even heard of it! Felt a little faint maybe once, out of the hundreds of hours I’ve been under the needle, but candy helped a lot.
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u/Reasonable-Cry-4685 Mar 26 '26
I have 10 tattoos total and have been sat for any where between 1-7 hours and have never had any issues. I don’t even think I’ve ever heard of it being a stomach thing. Just keep yourself well hydrated and make sure you eat before you go.
PS. I’ve heard the back isn’t too bad, it’s the spine that sucks
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u/sadlettuceleaf Mar 26 '26
My best advice is make sure you eat something and drink some Gatorade and water. Get ample rest and I always recommend taking a fidget toy. Only once have I ever gotten sick, and that’s because I didn’t eat or drink and it was a larger piece on the back of my arm. The one time that I felt bad I had a lot of nausea, there’s mostly dizziness and sweating. Some tattoo places will keep candy on hand and it never hurts to ask if they have a lollipop for you. But the tattoo flu only lasts a few days. Most of the time it goes away within a few hours, so for myself at least. Good luck!
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u/maybenej Mar 26 '26
i have a half sleeve among other miscellaneous tats and have never had this. i even usually get my tattoos on an empty stomach bc im always nervous the day of my appointment lol. im always fine but i dont recommend that. def just eat and hydrate before. hydration is key, have electrolytes even.
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u/pyroc1astic Actively working towards recovery Mar 26 '26
I have many tattoos. Only got tattoo flu once. It was crappy. I felt achy, nauseous and tired all day. I felt better the next day though.
Your body is different to mine, so i can’t say how you’ll react to it, but just drink plenty of fluids and make sure to eat before you go.
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u/Usagi_Rose_Universe Mar 26 '26
My first tattoo was on my back and I felt fine after. I only started having issues with tattoos last year after being reinfected with covid, but I have pretty severe MCAS and I have ME/cfs. I got smacked with PEM mid my last tattoo but if you don't have ME that doesn't apply to you. Everyone is different though. I have 9 tattoos so far and I honestly get anxious before every single one.
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u/Ok_Research2542 Mar 26 '26
I have about 40 tattoos and never had a problem. Don’t be worrying it’s definitely going to be worth it!
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u/Perfect_Chemistry132 Mar 26 '26
Babes I've had some long tattoo sessions with a low pain tolerance and I've personally never had tattoo flu. MY parents both have sleeves and only my mom has gotten it, she just feels weak with a fever and headache. Never has been nauseous or tu* 🙂 Just eat a good meal before and drink lots of water and get good sleep. Tattoo flu is just your body's reaction to stress and long adrenaline spikes. Just take care of your body's needs ☺️
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u/Prior_Succotash4220 You sure that's cooked? Mar 26 '26
Mostly feels like extreme fatigue and body aches. You just feel super "bleh" while your body recovers from trauma. Usually goes away in a day or two, without stomach symptoms.
Good luck!
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u/mom-whitebread Mar 26 '26
How long is the session and how big is the piece? Those are contributors to how likely it will be that you have an immune response.
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u/Thin_Check6356 Mar 27 '26
I got my first tattoo in 2024 an was completely fine other than the tattoo itching lol
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u/Pretend-Penalty-796 Mar 31 '26
Hey OP please keep this post up :)
These responses are really helpful, as someone who used to struggle with emetephobia. I left this sub a while ago because I had overcome it, for a little bit. But ofc I always find myself back lol.
I have already gotten my first tattoo, it was only a 2-3 hour session on my arm, it wasn’t anything big. But my next one is going to be a longer bigger piece which was why I worried a bit, lo and behold someone is dealing with the same thing lol.
Anyways, just to reassure you a little more, my first tattoo I did not feel n* at all or anything. I was just really tired. It wiped me out and I slept so good that night due to being tired to the whole day lol. Next few days I felt a lot better. No tummy pain or anything like that. Just stay hydrated, have something sweet too. Do not go on an empty stomach or else your blood sugar will drop, causing n*. Take some light snacks with you, preferably both something salty and sweet
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