Diabetes and Tattoos: What You Need to Know

Although people with diabetes can safely get tattoos, there are important considerations to keep in mind before heading to the tattoo parlor.

In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about diabetes, tattoos, potential risks, and how to ensure proper healing.

Overall risk of infection with your A1C and new tattoo

People with diabetes often discourage getting a tattoo because higher blood sugar levels impair healing and increase the risk of infection.

According to research Diabetes careboth type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase the risk of infection, and type 1 poses a slightly higher threat.

Just as the way in which untreated blisters lead to infections and shattering, tattoos on people with insufficient blood sugar levels can be seriously infected.

Before getting a tattoo, consider the following guidelines for A1C (a measure of glucose management over the past 2-3 months).

A1c below 8.0: If your last few A1C tests are below 8% and you don’t have complications like neuropathy (neurological damage), heart disease, kidney problems, etc., your tattoo should be safe if you are looking after your tattoo and manage your blood sugar levels well.

A1c above 9.0: Getting a tattoo is dangerous if your A1C is above 9%, or if you have complications such as neurological disorders or circulation problems. A slow healing can create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to infection or destruction.

Having a high A1C does not mean you can’t get a tattoo. This may be the first motivation to improve blood glucose control.

Leanne Matthews, who lived with type 1 diabetes for over 16 years, has three tattoos.

She recommends waiting until your blood sugar levels are in a healthy range to avoid complications.

read more: How to Lower A1C: A Complete Guide.

Is metformin the problem?

For those who take metformin to manage type 2 diabetes, there is no direct concern about drug therapy that affects their ability to get a tattoo.

The most important factor is to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range to minimize the risk of infection and ensure proper healing.

What should the healthy healing process of tattoos look like?

It’s helpful to know what’s normal as no tattoo looks good in the first week of healing. Authority tattoos explain the healing stages:

Stage 1 (1-6 days): Smelling, swelling and redness are common, but should be gradually improved every day. The scabs begin to form.
Stage 2 (days 7-14): Itching and peeling begins, and this continues until all dead skin and scabs have fallen off.
Stage 3 (days 15-30): The tattoo may look completely soothed, but it can look a bit cloudy. Keep caring for them as the deeper skin layers are still repaired.

How to properly care for your new tattoo

Care for a new tattoo is easy, but it is important to prevent infection and make you look good once it healed. Your tattoo artist will provide instructions, but here is the basics:

Gently wash your tattoo with stuffed animal water and antibacterial soap every morning. Dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Wash off every time you come into contact with dirt, sweat, or other dirty environments.
Apply recommended lotions such as petrolatum and cocoa butter twice a day. Avoid lotions with added fragrance or colour. This is because it can increase the risk of infection.

Lean, who has multiple tattoos, said

As a regular gym person, she tried to wash her tattoos right after each workout to avoid sweating and infection from gym equipment.

The most common causes of tattoo infection

Prevent infection while your new tattoo heels sound simple – just keep them clean, right?

See also The Dream of “Smart” Insulin

But in reality there is a long list of things that can easily introduce infections. Many of them may not even be considered, like the type of lotion you use every day.

The most common causes of tattoo infection are:

Hyperglycemia levels in diabetic patients
Unsanitary tattoo environment or equipment
Ineffective cleaning practices
Rewrite your tattoo (breasts and sweat)
Choose and peel scabs (scabs help soothe your skin!)
It will hurt your tattoo
Take a bath in dirty water (choose a shower)
Let others touch your new tattoo
Too many lotions – Apply only as directed
Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as nutrition, alcohol and sleep

Keep your tattoos clean and dry, scratch, choose, or stick to recommended tattoo moisturizers like vaseline. And when you show it off, it reminds you to be visible to friends, but don’t touch it!

New tattoo infection signs

Describes authority tattoos.

They also warn that even small tattoos can be seriously infected and require quick warning.

The most common signs of infection are:

Uneven rash (red or white)
Extreme redness 5 days after getting a tattoo
Strong itching (mild itching with healthy scabs is normal. Apply more petroleum jelly)
Hot to touch
Swells 5 days after the tattoo
Smelling scabs (normal scabs are fine; no smelling)
Blisters
Excessive pus, especially using acne-like bumps.
Foul smell
Red streak around the tattoo (signs of blood poisoning)
Swollen lymph nodes (indicating that your body is fighting an infection)
Heat and fatigue

If you notice these symptoms, please consult your doctor or emergency care immediately. Our bodies are susceptible to complications, so people with diabetes should take infections very seriously, even at well-controlled A1C levels.

Check out the authoritative tattoo to see photos of infection symptoms. But be warned, the image is graphic!

Think about where your tattoo is

It even directs where you can safely get a tattoo, as if diabetes hasn’t yet entered a sufficient part of your life.

Areas with circulatory disorders

Even if A1C is less than 8% over the years, certain areas of the body still have impaired circulation.

Your hands, feet, ankles and shins are common “tattooable” spots, but insufficient blood flow may not heal quickly, increasing the risk of infection.

If you have a neuropathy and still choose to get a tattoo, it is best to avoid these areas completely.

General Infusions, Infusions, and CGM Sites

Do you frequently inject insulin into the back of your arms? Is your pump infusion site usually located in your abdomen or thighs? These areas tend to develop scar tissue over time and are not ideal for tattoos.

Furthermore, tattooing areas will not allow you to continue using them for injections or sensors. This is because repeated needles can damage the tattoo.

Lean admits that she didn’t follow this advice very closely.

It can be frustrating to put pressure on where diabetes gets a tattoo, but it’s important to think carefully before choosing a place that could hinder injections or healing!

When it’s time to get your first tattoo…

If you have time to be a little attached to blood glucose control, it’s just before you get a tattoo and a few weeks after it’s healed.

Even if the tattoo heals outside after the first week, remember that many healing still occurs in the subsurface tissue.

The more consistently maintain blood sugar levels within a healthy range during the healing process, the faster it will heal and reduce the likelihood of complications and infection.

Does EMT notice “Medical Warning” diabetes tattoos?

It’s common to see “Type 1 Diabetes Medical Alert” tattoos on social media, but it’s important to know if EMT and ER professionals are actually looking for them before replacing your Medic Alert Jewelry with tattoos.

The truth is that EMTS doesn’t necessarily notice or rely on tattoos. Lean says,

That said, EMT can still find tattoos, check your blood sugar levels, leading to a proper diagnosis. Though not entirely overlooked, tattoos should not replace traditional medical alert jewelry.

Is tattoos the right choice for you?

Getting a tattoo is a big decision. And for some people, it can even be life-threatening. While none of us want to tell you what diabetes can or can’t, it’s important to be honest about your blood sugar control before committing to a tattoo.

If the idea of ink is motivated to improve your blood sugar control, then it’s great!

In the meantime, you can always practice grabbing a Sharpie and drawing it until you’re ready. (And seriously, think about the design. The photo of Ryan Gosling’s face on your left butt cheek may not look that cute when you’re 65!)