Stick and poke hand tattoo got infected after 2 days, learned the hard way about using proper ink

I used some india ink from an art store on my knuckles and by morning my hand was swollen like a balloon. Spent $150 at urgent care for antibiotics has anyone else made this mistake with cheap supplies?

3 comments

3 Comments

price.ben20d ago

Did urgent care at least give you a lollipop on the way out? India ink and a sewing needle is basically the street level version of a tattoo gun, you were practically asking for a free hand transplant. At least now you've got a story to tell while you rock that permanent reminder of your poor life choices.

gavin46920d ago

Got something wrong there @price.ben. India ink is actually pretty sterile. It's got ammonia and stuff in it that kills bacteria. The real problem is the needle being dirty or not knowing how deep to go. I've seen guys do stick and poke in prison with no infections. Still a dumb idea though. That ink fades to a weird greenish blue after a couple years and looks like a bad bruise. Hope your buddy saved the receipt for that hand.

murray.cora20d ago

Come on @price.ben, don't act like you never did something stupid when you were young. Infection can happen with any tattoo, even shop ones if you don't take care of it right. India ink is not the same as tattoo ink, period. The ammonia thing doesn't matter when you're stabbing unsterilized needles into your skin over and over. I've known three people who got staph from stick and poke, all of them used "sterile" supplies. Urgent care bill is cheap compared to losing a finger or your hand.