Well they are a form of wound, so you need to be really careful with keeping it clean and going to a reputable place to get it done where they use sterile needles. And make sure you tell them you are type 1 diabetic too. I am quite obsessive and might also tell my diabetes nurse/dr that I was having it done.

Personally, I don't fancy any more needles! But I can kind of see why people like it. My boyfriend has an Aries symbol on one arm and a kind of thorny band thing on the other. What are you having done?

Something like a medic alert bracelet on my inner left wrist

On one forearm the German war eagle

Other forearm a Irish clover

Maybe on my right inner wrist my girlfriends name with shooting stars shes also my best friend but that's a huge maybe on that one

That sounds cool. I like the idea of a tattoed medicalert - I never wear mine and know I should. You should post up pictures when they are done.

The medic alert tattoos from what I have been told (I have a few EMT friends) are never considered when they are working on person. First there isnt a spot that is standard to put it and even if it is out in the open and uncovered they usually dont pause to read it as some put just the medic alert symbol (of which I know three EMTs who have that as they are medical responders its what they do for a living and seems appropriate) but also most do not add Insulin Dependent Diabetic on it or its not even legible or they got it in tribute to a family member (especially parents in response to their child having it) so it doesnt even apply to them.

All in all do not use it for a replacement of wearing an ID as it will not act as one.

LOL That being said, I am not against adding a bit of diabetic panache to the tattoo scene. There is a new hot phase which I think is really awesome which some diabetics are doing which is putting their diagnosis date on along with some art you like. Some will add text saying diabetic since or T1 and the date or some sort of combo like that. It also opens up your choices for what the art surrounding it looks like versus the medic alert symbol. ;-)

What you said is complete bullshit so I don't know where you get your information from. Paramedics are trained to look at peoples wrists and necks for any medic alert type jewelry. Second of all if somebody has a seizure/coma it is automatically assumed they are diabetic. Thirdly if you see somebody having a seizure and going into a coma they are diabetic no questions asked its impossible for them not to be. Fourthly if you are not diabetic and you get something to do with diabetes tattooed on yourself and you are not diabetic you are an idiot. Lastly its not mandatory to wear a ID so why don't you do some research before you open your mouth because it sure as hell does not look like you are diabetic either basing what friends and other people have told you and what you have read on the computer.

P.S. IT GOES FOR EMS, FIREFIGHTERS & POLICE I SHOULD KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY DAD IS A FIREFIGHTER.

I am not taking part in this whole tattoo discussion, but I have to say that replies like the one I just read from InSulnlmP should not be allowed on this site. You are incredibly rude.

I have to agree with Suze. Your last response seems out of character and aggressive. Is there something wrong?

There are lots of reasons why someone might be having a seizure or in a coma and I do not think it is likely that doctors or EMTs would assume anything as this would be unprofessional and would risk the person's life if they gave insulin or any drug inappropriately. Where did you get this info from?

Both of you are right sorry everybody

I have had seven sittings with tattoos and never had an issue. Keep it clean (religiously) until it is fully healed and you should have an issue. Also make sure to use good lotion that doesn't have an aroma like lubriderm to keep the skin from drying out where the new ink is. Also make sure the shop you are going to is clean and uses clean needles.

I'm diabetic and I have 6 tatoos. My endocrinologist told me that I should stop getting them but I got two more after she told me that. Nothing happened to me and it didn't effect my diabetes at all. Just maintain your blood sugar, be sure to have acceptable hba1c tests and make sure you care for the tatoo.

WELL WELL, i have been diabetic for 14 yrs now and have 18 tatts, i have never had a prob with them healing or taking care of them, but as u know any type of wound needs more special care with us, but if yur blood shugers are well under controll, and u keep them that way , u should not have a problem!!!! :),

and P.S inSul1nlmP: i do have to say i found it awsome u appologized for ur comments. most ppl would continue to b a jerk...lol!!!!