“Can lymph nodes swell due to a tattoo infection?”

Yes, Lymph glands are often swollen when there is an infection or inflammation. Your recent tattoo is an example of your body's reaction to recent exposure to a foreign substance (tattoo ink). Our lymph gland are the primary source of cells which help our body fight infections.

Yes. Lymph nodes or glands typically swell somewhere near where infection is present. They will be tender, and resolve when the infection is treated.

Yes, of course, the immune system in your body is constantly working to protect you and, in simple words, infection manifests by enlarged glands in the nearest area. You should take antibiotics.

Yes, lymph nodes serve as the body's immune system filtering process.They can swell in response to any infection (viral or bacterial) or foreign material(tattoo). If your lymph nodes swell near a tattoo make sure to look carefully for redness of the skin around the tattoo (if redness spreads out from actual tattoo may be an infection). Other signs of an infection (tattoo or other) are increased warmth over the area and increased tenderness. I recommend that you see a doctor promptly to make sure it isn't getting infected. That can be a serious problem.

Stephen B. Cox, MD, BCEM