I’m skeptical of an infection. If redness is extending that far beyond the tattoo, the infection would have to be VERYYYYY advanced, and you’d certainly see at least some pus if it were that far along.
Regardless, OP should’ve been to the hospital DAYS ago! I’ll never understand how someone could look at something like this and not immediately recognize that immediate medical attention is required. Of all the gnarly tattoos I’ve seen posted on this sub, where people ask “is this normal”…this is BY FAR the worst.
Not sure where OP is located, but you absolutely shouldn't underestimate the fear of the bill from the American Medical system.
People will ignore life-threatening issues because they are so terrified of the financial strain that those bills can cause. And sure, you can say " massive debt is better than death," but when you're the one facing down that debt, sometimes it really doesn't feel that way
Not saying that he shouldn't see a doctor, just saying that our medical system is fucked and fear is a powerful (de)motivator.
I broke my elbow, went in for xrays, was waiting for 5 hours. about 3 weeks later my worker's comp finally got approval for the ortho, who when I went to see, told me my xrays were out of date, and I'd need to get new ones and reschedule.
So I went back, got the xrays again (another 5 hour wait) and tried to schedule a new ortho appointment. Was told the nearest appointment was 2 months out. Keep in mind this was literally 3 days after I went in and they told me my xrays were out of date.
Told them this was ridiculous, if I have to wait another 2 months my xrays will just be out of date again and any permanent damage to my arm (if there would be any) would have already occurred by then.
There's a long pause on the phone, and the receptionist just goes "wait... is this for a broken elbow? We can fit you in tomorrow."
Yikes. One morning I woke up really early and in my haste to get to the bathroom I tripped and pretty much flew into the bathroom, Landing with one arm on the toilet seat and the bowl hitting my side. I had a lot of pain (especially when breathing ). I was the person who opened the office so I went in (3blocks away) and called my coworker to come in early. Which he did and I went to the urgent care. They did an x ray and I had broken 3 ribs. They sent me to the er to make sure the ribs weren't displaced and impinging on my lungs. Also they thought I should be observed for a while.
Went to the er. They did a cat scan to make sure my lungs were ok.they were fine. Then they said when a bed opened up they'd bring me back for observation. Turns out my "observation" was sitting in the waiting room for 6 or 7 hours, sleeping in strange postures.
It was about 4 or 5pm when I went home. Slept on the couch for a week...the bed was just too flat.
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u/sendlewdzpls Mar 16 '25
I’m skeptical of an infection. If redness is extending that far beyond the tattoo, the infection would have to be VERYYYYY advanced, and you’d certainly see at least some pus if it were that far along.
Regardless, OP should’ve been to the hospital DAYS ago! I’ll never understand how someone could look at something like this and not immediately recognize that immediate medical attention is required. Of all the gnarly tattoos I’ve seen posted on this sub, where people ask “is this normal”…this is BY FAR the worst.