diabetics and tattoos

[angiealf]

Do any diabetics in AB land have tattoos? If so have you had any problems with them? My OH wants one on the top of his arm - but has been told that there could be problems with sugar levels dropping during the process, and takes longer to heal with possible infection.

[Sqad]

Your OH has been given good advice.

If it does become infected, then his diabetes could well be upset, increasing the blood sugar levels.

There is also a concern re.Hepatitis.

There are also questions concerning the development of skin malignancies.

No, I dont have tattoos.................yes, I do have type 2 diabetes.

[ethandron]

here's what diabetes uk have to say. particularly interesting is the bit where they say that if you are well and your diabetes is well controlled then your risks are the same as for anyone else.
http://www.diabetes.o...s-and-body-piercing-/

[Sqad]

<<<<<< is the bit where they say that if you are well and your diabetes is well controlled then your risks are the same as for anyone else. <<<<<

mmmmm!...the risks may be the same, but should an infection develop or indeed HepB or C or even HIV then the recovery in the diabetic would be quite another story.

[NOX]

How would you get HIV from a tatto parlour Squad when everything is disposable now and everyone has to be licensed? Likewise Hep- that's all a bit alarmist don't you think just because you don't like tattoos?

[puma86]

NOX - i've been in many a tattoo parlour where they still use resusable needles.

[Sqad]

Nox......maybe....maybe.....but not ALL tattoos are done in parlours.....some are done on Music Festival sites and abroad for example.....do you think that disposable needles are used in those situations.

No, I don´t like tattoos.............my answer is based on medical experience............if that advice saves someone from getting a serious infection, but being call ALLARMIST on the way, then so be it.

I am not here to join a popularity forum, just to give medical advice that I consider helpful.

[NOX]

The rules in England at music festivals apply equally to tattoo parlours and likewise to anywhere in the EU I believe. regarding reuseable needles I've not seen anywhere use those for a very long time now- not saying they don't but the onus is on the person obtaining the tattoo to make themselves comfortable with the level of hygeine and I can't think of a reputeable parlour that would now use non disposable needles.

[Sqad]

Nox......fine.

[NOX]

Good.

[ethandron]

someone who has well controlled diabetes will recover equally as well from an infection as a person who doesn't have diabetes, notice i said well controlled, as do diabetes uk in their information.
my personal advice to angiealf would be for her OH to speak to his diabetes specialist nurse and his endocrinologist when he next has an appointment. i feel confident that they will give proper, sound advice as they are the experts in diabetes and will dispel any myths surrounding a diabetic having a tattoo.

[foodluva]

In hospitals, any diabetic who has received contrast dye during their admission, would have any diabetic drugs witheld for 48 hours due to the risk of sugar levels dropping due to the dye. I'm not sure whether this would apply to tattoo dye but it may be why you have been warned about low sugar levels during the process!

[masma]

The main problem (as far as I can see) would be that diabetics take longer to heal.

[Sqad]

ethandron

<<<<<<<someone who has well controlled diabetes will recover equally as well from an infection as a person who doesn't have diabetes, notice i said well controlled, as do diabetes uk in their information. <<<<<

That is what they are saying and NOT anything about recovering from a complication as you have picked out.

There are saying that the chances of a diabetic getting a complication from tattoos is the same chance as a non diabetic.

That is quite different.....NOW

If a diabetic got an abscess from tattooing and so did a non diabetic get an abscess all, things equal..........the non diabetic would do better on recovery than a diabetic.
Your link did not mention that.

[Sqad]

sorry
<<<That is what they are saying and NOT anything about recovering from a complication as you have picked out. <<<<

Should read:
<<<That is what YOU are saying and not what the Diabetic link is saying.>>>

[angiealf]

Thanks to all for your input, The OH will be going to a recommended reputable tattooist and not one at a music festival.

[Dee Sa]

why risk it ?

[RATTER15]

Go for it, these days tattoo artists are so tightly regulated you will be fine, I have mixed in these circles for many years and the only people I have known to get infections from tattoos are people that payed no, or little attention to basic hygiene and never the fault of the tattoo artist. Just be extra careful

[rowanwitch]

its interesting that some posters on the diabetic forums I've checked seem to think there isn't a problem...
even for type 1 diabetics...
From a tattooist...no hand or feet tats and prefer to do them where they can be watched for signs of infection so not back or back of thighs etc