What started as a pricey piece of custom ink has turned into a medical ordeal for Phoenix resident Stephanie Roberts, who says a tattoo she booked through Instagram left her hospitalized for a week and recovering from two surgeries.
Roberts says the fresh tattoo began to blister and she soon developed fever, chills and vomiting. Doctors ultimately diagnosed cellulitis, compartment syndrome and sepsis, and she reports that her hand turned purple as circulation was cut off. She says she paid roughly $1,200 for the work, including a $200 deposit, and is now seeking a refund while remaining on antibiotics and attending follow-up medical appointments. Roberts also says she learned she was pregnant while she was in the hospital.
As reported by 12News, Roberts said she found the artist, who goes by the handle "rubyginks," on Instagram. She told the outlet the tattoo site initially felt like a third-degree burn before it dramatically worsened. According to the station, she spent a week in the hospital and needed two surgeries to address the infection. An attorney for the tattoo artist declined to comment to 12News.
Doctors' diagnoses and how serious infections spread
Roberts' treating doctors diagnosed cellulitis, compartment syndrome and sepsis, a trio of conditions that can quickly damage tissue and endanger circulation when an infection gets out of control. Sepsis is the body's overwhelming response to infection and can become life-threatening without rapid treatment, while cellulitis is a deeper bacterial skin infection that can escalate fast.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, tattoo-related skin infections are not always just surface irritation and can become deep or systemic. The Sepsis Alliance notes that sepsis itself is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Artist response and patient status
Roberts told 12News she is still taking antibiotics and going to follow-up visits as she pursues a refund for the roughly $1,200 tattoo. Dr. Frank Lovecchio told the station that "sepsis is the body's overwhelming and potentially deadly response to infection," underscoring how a routine skin break can become dangerous in a short amount of time. The outlet also reported that Roberts tested positive for pregnancy while she was hospitalized.
How to reduce the risk of a tattoo infection
Public-health guidance around tattoos tends to sound like common sense, but it matters. Officials advise choosing licensed studios that use sterile, single-use needles and properly stored inks, and then following the artist's aftercare instructions closely.
The FDA notes that even sealed bottles of tattoo ink have sometimes been found contaminated and outlines steps manufacturers and studios can take to reduce microbial risk. The agency recommends seeking medical care if a fresh tattoo shows signs such as redness, swelling or fever.
Roberts says she hopes that by speaking out, she can nudge others to thoroughly vet tattoo artists and keep a close eye on any early signs of infection. For now, she continues treatment and follow-up with doctors while she and her family figure out their next steps.
