Hogrider

It doesn't matter what it looks like now. ;-)

Advice on what to do - nothing. Until it heals you don't know what it's going to look like and until you know what it's going to look like, you can't make an informed decision on what to do, if anything. I don't see anything wrong with it from the pics, but again, it's too early to tell.

If you look at the scientific literature, documented allergic reactions to tattoo ink are EXTREMELY rare. Have you been to a dermatologist? That sounds like an infection.

Not what you wanted, but at least it's a GOOD tattoo. I agree with what the other's have posted. You can't have too many dragons.

Hard to tell from the pics and 2 days in is usually too early to tell. Give it a month to settle in. Even the best artists have blow outs and some parts of the body are more prone to them than others.

Happens all the time when people join a forum and don't bother to find out what the forum is all about before posting. It's like joining a forum dedicated to fender guitars and then talking about your cheap Chinese knockoff you bought on eBay for $50. I'm done with this thread, it's pretty obvious he's just trolling now.

You sooooo overestimate your importance if you think you bother me. ;-)

It's not just those two choices. That's a false dichotomy. ;-) If you knew you would be hated on for being a scratcher I guess I'm not seeing what you are trying to accomplish here. This isn't a "learn to tattoo" forum; "how to" questions are discouraged and not answered. It's your body, if you want to ruin it, it's your choice.

Nobody wants to see my ass :-(

I can't relate to the doctor issue. My dermatologist always asks if I got any new tattoos; she has some too. Last time I went to my regular doctor we got talking about tattoos and he asked if I would be comfortable taking my shirt off so he could see my back piece. When I was at John's Hopkins in Baltimore this year, three nurses stopped me in the hall so they could look at my work. All of the medical professionals I have been too have been very non-judgmental.

Yea, really. and is sensitive if pushed on That's NOT normal after a month. I don't know what a doctor will do, I'm not a doctor. If your doctor tells you not to get tattoos, you need a new doctor. Hey, YOU asked for opinions, that's MY opinion. ;-)

Just my 2 cents, but take a deep breath. First of all, to repeat, INK ALLERGIES ARE VERY RARE. If you don't believe me do the research - in the medical literature where cases would be documented and confirmed, not in online forums where everyone who ever had an itchy tattoo said they were allergic to the ink. Second, it sounds like ONE doctor, not doctorS, didn't know what it was. If it's a simple infection, it should be easy to clear up. Good luck.

Scabbed and sensitive after a month? I'd see a doctor. That looks rough.

Yes. Most people complain about fading. That is a great tattoo. I wouldn't change a thing. I agree with @Gingerninja, give it a year and see how you feel. Just my two cents, but I've seen more people F*** up good tattoos by screwing with them than I've seen people improve them. Sorry, but can't relate to tattoo regret. I always loved my back piece as well as the rest. In my opinion, there is just something about a big, bold piece that you can't get from a bunch of smaller images. You should be whipping your shirt off every chance you get saying, "Hell yea, I'm the man!"

Allergy to ink is extremely rare. Every time someone scratches they think they are having an allergic reaction. Now that I'm off my soapbox, I'd go to the doctor ASAP. That is NOT normal.

I know I am. Maybe there is a forum out there for scratchers where you can discuss designs that look cool but don't work on skin, infections, blow-outs, scar-tissue, vomit-enducing work, and a host of other issues endemic to kitchen magicians. My advice is just don't. If you are really an engineer, you should be able to afford quality tattoos from qualified artists. That's what this forum is about, not "how to tattoo yourself with your eBay kit."

Tattoos never look like the day you got them. Blowouts are caused by the ink spreading, and you can't fix that. I've looked and I don't see what you think needs fixing. As @Gingerninja said, tattoo's are imperfect; it that is going to bother you, you shouldn't get one.

Just an old man grousing, but I get tired of people saying they are allergic to ink every time it itches. I did a lot of research on ink allergies before I had my first tattoo. The number of actual verified cases of an allergic reaction to tattoo ink is very, very small.

I think the term 'allergic reaction' is waaaaaaaaay over used. I don't see anything that would qualify as an allergic reaction here. I agree with @SStu, see the tattoo artist that did this.

Long sleeve shirts, even rolled up to the elbow will cover it. Not a big deal. Full sleeve is more of a big deal because even though a long sleeve shirt will cover it most of the time, every time you reach for something, the shirt rides up and your wrists are visible.

I was having breakfast the other morning and this lady kept giving me the stink eye. I got tired of it so finally I just confronted her. I said, "OK mom, that's enough; I know you don't like my tattoos." :-)

Blow-outs happen and there is nothing you can do to fix them. Tattoos take 4 - 6 weeks to fully heal; you'll know what it's going to look like then. No tattoo is perfect. Enjoy the big picture, don't sweat the details.

It's not a touch up, it's new work and it's not literally five minutes of work. They have to set up, clean up, tear down, and sterilize whether they tattoo for five minutes or five hours. It's a well done, nicely designed tattoo. Live with it for a few months before you make any decisions.

You don't know what it looks like for 4-6 weeks. That looks pretty fresh. Did you get that done in a shop??

When did you get it? You won't know what it is going to look like for 4-6 weeks.