Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chez Fellyhoo Morgan on December 27, 2011 at 12:36pm

The tattoo its self should not effect your diabetes, however your emotions can sometimes play with your blood sugars, if you get nervous or worked up, in pain or shock, then you would probably already know how your diabetes can react. Best take a sugary drink and your testing kit with you just incase. Any decent tattooist will stop if you ask them, remember to tell them you have diabetes before they start. I would also advise not having tattoos on the lower parts of your body, as you know some diabetics have healing problems with lower extremities , which can put the risk of infection higher than normal. There should be no risk of infection from the tattooist if they are a registered and licensed professional . Its the after care that you need to be most careful about, keeping it clean until fully healed.
I would recommend Bepanthen cream ONLY , small amounts and often. Other creams have healing properties which promote scabbing, Scabbing is not good as when they drop off it does take some of the colour with it. Bepanthen does not and will keep it moist until healed within 3-4 days. If you do see any sign of infection, see your doctor as soon as possible and start taking antibiotics.

I am a type 1 diabetic of 32 years. I have many tattoos and I work in a tattoo studio and can say i have never had a problems with any of mine x

Permalink Reply by Bec on January 20, 2012 at 12:27pm

I'm a T1D and I have a lot of tats - never had any issues (watch the adrenaline rush!), and agree with Chez Fellyhoo Morgan's advice to bring your kit, a drink and a buddy! ;)
My suggestion for cream is herbacin kamille soft (it is a hand cream, in a green tube) - NOTHING works better than that :)
Just research what you want, the artist doing it and the place - make sure all is up to date and code.
Good luck!