Diabetes has a lot of contraindications, but can you get a tattoo or piercing if you’re diabetic?

Diabetes can affect everyday life in many ways, but luckily there’s no problem if you decide to get a tattoo or piercing. Like any other person, these procedures require some basic care so that there are no complications. In the case of a diabetic person, there are some extra things that you might want to take into account. These are some of the things you need to consider if you decide to get a tattoo or piercing if you’re diabetic

Before and during the process

tatuaje piercing diabetic

Before deciding what you are getting, you’ll need to look for a reliable establishment that meets the necessary health guarantees. Once you have the right place, make sure the professional knows you’re diabetic and take a ration of carbohydrates half an hour before starting to avoid hypoglycemia. 

If you like to take risks and decide to go for a big tattoo, remember that you will need to take some breaks during the process in order to control your glucose levels. If needed, eat something, since the session can last several hours. It’s possible that you feel dizzy because of the needle which is easy to mistake for low blood sugar. 

Although diabetes isn’t necessarily an added risk, it’s not advisable to get tattoos or piercings if your metabolism is not well controlled. Uncontrolled blood sugar level can lead to poor healing of the piercing or tattoo together with increasing the risk of infection. So it would be a good idea to check glucose and A1c levels two weeks beforehand to verify that everything is well. 

Control your glucose

Measuring your glucose is very important during the whole process of getting a piercing or tattoo, so don’t forget to measure and take notes of the values before, during and after the session. Thanks to Cori, you can do that easily with your phone. 

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People with diabetes are especially vulnerable to the dangers of colds and the flu, but there are things you can do to control your symptoms and avoid getting sick in the first place. You may maintain your health even when you’re feeling under the weather by constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, getting enough of rest, and adhering to your diabetes management plan. Additionally, you may lower your risk of getting sick and safeguard yourself from any problems by maintaining proper cleanliness, being vaccinated, and generally maintaining good health. Make sure to discuss any worries you may have with your healthcare team for advice and support if you have diabetes and are worried about managing colds and the flu.

Aftercare

tatuaje piercing diabetic

Once you’re all done, you’ll need to follow the care instructions that the bander/tattoo artist has given to you. It’s totally normal for the tattooed or pierced area to be red, uncomfortable or even a bit swollen. However, if these symptoms don’t fade away, you’ll need to see your doctor. In the case that there’s an infection, blood sugar levels tend to rise, so it’s not a bad idea to do some more testing than usual. 


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