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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Piercing and Tattoos > Damage from tattoos?
Posted on: 04/23/2008
Question
I got two tattoos about 2 years ago, one on each foot. Ever since then I have experienced burning, tingling, pain, swelling, and itching directly on the tattooed areas. My dad has nerve damage and tells me that is the exact pain that he feels in those areas. Is it possible I received nerve damage from being pierced with needles so close to my bones?
Answer
Your symptoms might be from nerve damage, not because the skin was pierced close to the bone but because there are a lot of nerves in the foot (that's why it hurts so much when you stub your toe). The swelling and itching don't sound so much like nerve damage, though. It's possible that you are having a type of allergic reaction to the dye in the tattoo. If so, the way to solve the problem would be to have your tattoos removed. You should see your primary care doctor or a dermatologist to try to figure this out.