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- $Unique_ID{BRK01491}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Diabetics and Tattoos}
- $Subject{tattoo diabetes mellitus social problems special procedures skin
- subcutaneous tissue tattoos diabetics diabetic healing infection cellulitis
- blood poisoning tattooing tattooed community problem procedure tissues heal
- infections}
- $Volume{Q-20, P-20, L-20}
- $Log{
- Diabetes Mellitus*0009802.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Diabetics and Tattoos
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-
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-
- QUESTION: I have been a diabetic for 5 years. I am 22 and have been thinking
- about getting a tattoo. I don't really follow my diet and I was told
- diabetics shouldn't get tattoos because we have a slow healing process. I am
- willing to take the risk. Please answer this as soon as possible because I am
- going to get it in the next two months.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: It looks as though you have already made up your mind, and if you're
- expecting to get me to approve this foolishness, you had better think it
- through again. I don't want to put all the blame on you, for certainly
- society and my profession is a bit at fault for not getting through to you,
- but I can't help but wonder what is going on inside your head. With all the
- educational information available about diabetes and the dangers of its
- complications when not cared for, you seemed to have been missed. Perhaps at
- 22 you feel immortal, but the chronic perils of your untreated disease will
- soon chop away at your years, and shorten your time with us here on earth.
- Not only do you risk poor healing, but the dangers of infection in an
- uncontrolled diabetic are frightening. Once the protection provided by the
- skin against infection has been pierced by that little needle, a local
- infection can extend to cellulitis, blood poisoning, and even permanently
- effect your kidneys as well. We are not talking here about an infection that
- is easy to treat with antibiotics, but one with serious complications, leading
- to permanent damage and death. And don't tell me how your tattoo artist is
- careful about keeping his instruments clean. If he takes you on as a client
- (that is if you admit your problem to him), he is submitting you to a risk no
- sensible person would willingly undergo.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-