Sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that can affect the skin and other organs, sometimes first appears with bumps at the site of a tattoo, she says. Infections are more common within the first couple of days or weeks of getting a tattoo, Dr.

Basically treat this sickness as if it is a regular flu. Your symptoms should pass in a day or two as your body's immune system calms down and gets to the proper work of healing the actual tattoo on your skin.

Keep the tattooed area out of the sun until it heals. Don't go swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing. Choose clothing carefully.