‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’ Star Sierra Gates Felt ‘On Fire’ After Tattoo Gone Wrong

Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’Then-Sierra Gates talks about a tattoo experience that left her with an extremely painful infection.

The businesswoman and reality TV star, 35, revealed in a Thursday, June 6 interview with local Atlanta station FOX 5 that she contracted a bacterial infection called cellulitis after attempting to get tattoo his entire right leg. The body art was done over a 12-hour session.

Gates – who appeared in seasons 6 to 10 of the MTV series – has had tattoos all over her body since she was 16. She was ready to take on a massive tattoo and a long session with the help of numbing cream, and the artist she worked with successfully completed the design, she told FOX. However, the next day she woke up in immense pain.

“On fire. Literally on fire. Like I’d never been set on fire. But I swear it was burning so hot it felt like I was seeing flames around my leg,” Gates told the outlet, describing the feeling of the next day. .

“I knew when the numbing cream wore off it was going to be painful, but not that bad,” Gates added.

A few days later, Gates was hospitalized and diagnosed with cellulitis, a superficial bacterial infection that can become serious if severe or left untreated.

Gates’ nurse, Brittany Gould, told FOX that the Love and hip-hop The star’s infection had gone beyond the superficial stage and put her at risk of complications such as sepsis.

“She had cellulitis on her right leg. It was pretty bad,” Gould told the outlet. “The bacteria just moves around the body. You risk becoming septic, which was something we were concerned about with her because she ended up having a fever while she was in the hospital.”

“Usually cellulite can be treated in five days on average, and hers was about twice that,” Gould added.

According to the Mayo Clinic, cellulite is often caused by injuries, such as cuts or burns, that allow bacteria to enter the skin. People with weakened immune systems, diabetes or cancer, those with skin conditions like eczema, and people who are overweight also face an increased risk of contracting the disease.

The clinic adds that untreated cellulite can also lead to other complications, including bacteremia (when bacteria enters the bloodstream), toxic shock syndrome, and more.

“In rare cases, the infection can spread to the deep layer of tissue called the fascial lining. Necrotizing fasciitis is an example of a deep layer infection,” the clinic states on its website. “This is an extreme emergency.”

However, most cases of cellulitis can be prevented by washing cuts and scrapes daily with soap and water, covering the wounds with bandages, and contacting a doctor if things get too serious.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends that people who suspect they have contracted an infection from a tattoo contact the tattoo artist so they can identify the ink and avoid using it again.

Never miss a story: Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date with the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

For Gates, his faith played a major role in helping him in his healing process. She also spoke directly with tattoo hopefuls who are planning to do a large piece in one go.

“Take your time,” she added, speaking directly to tattoo enthusiasts. “Do it in small sections. Don’t be like a tattoo addict just because you don’t feel anything.”