Can an in control type 1 diabetic get a tattoo on their foot?

I'm 18 years old and have been diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes for 5 months now. I exercise daily and my BG's are in control. I am turning 19 in a couple of weeks and me and my sisters would like to get matching tattoo's on our feet (because it's easy to hide if needed and the skin doesn't stretch so much there). I was just wondering if any other diabetics have tattoo's on their feet and if it has caused any problems.

I'm a RN and was a Diabetes Nurse Educator at a large local hospital. I always am completely amazed by some of the medical questions I come across I taught Nursing students for a number of years and their questions always kept me challenged too. The good news is that you have your brain working well for you, anticipate that this tattoo proposal may not be in your best interest (It isn't), and have the intellectual fortitude and wisdom to ask the question before acting impulsively on your sibling plan. First of all I want to commend you on your initial response (5 months) to managing your type 1 Diabetes but you are just beginning your very lengthy and challenging journey and the choices you make now will likely affect you and your medical condition for the remainder of your life. You do not say if you are under the care of a Diabetologist, what your last Hgb A1-C was, what your specific blood levels were, what type and doses of Insulin you are presently taking, etc. This information is of course particularly of interest to me because of my history of teaching Diabetes particularly to teenagers just your age. At any rate, any Diabetes RN or Diabatologist with atleast one neuron still firing in their brain would tell you that feet, ankles, and calves are totally no man's land as far as type1 diabetics go which means that they should never be touched by a tattoo artist. I just couldn't approve of a tattoo for you anywhere at this point because of the potential dangers of infection,etc. I'm pleased that you seem to have a great relationship with your sisters and want to do something together to celebrate your 19th birthday. I'm all for that. Is it possible for you and your sisters to do something together that relates to exercise which I do approve of? What comes to mind is going off for a few hours to play paint ball games or perhaps rent scooters or ATV's There must be some activities that all of you would enjoy if you all put your minds together. What about going bowling followed by eating out. Would you consider driving to a nearby town and checking out the mall to buy some music, followed by eating out at one of your favorite hangouts. These are just a few ideas that some of the teens I worked with chose to do. Keep up your daily exercising as it has a tremendous positive effect on your Diabetes management. I hope that you have a wonderful 19th birthday and that your Diabetes control remains in such good shape. Good luck to you.

I have one on my ankle. But I'm type 2.

I would put it somewhere else.... maybe your calf? or ankle? There's just so much complication in the feet... would a tatoo be worth an amputation?

If the skin is compromised it is a candidate for an ulceration. Being young helps, but that's a dumb license to take a risk. I get ulcers on my skin like crazy. It takes months to heal. If it was me, I'd play it straight and keep your skin intact.

Don't be a fool. When they chop your leg off after the infection festers, don't come crying to us.

My wife has one on her ankle, but she would not recommend going any closer to the foot than that, because they can cause serious infections and it's not worth taking the risk.

This is not a healthy idea for you! As a type one diabetic, your feet should routinely be checked daily for any problems; you are already at a very increased risk for infection. Feet do not heal well, and an infection could ultimately cost you an amputation. How about matching "fake" tatoos for special occasions, to make your fashion statement without risk? Stay well.

I am type 1 and have 3 tattoos but they are on my back...I wouldn't screw around with your feet!! You could loose them if your not careful...I also found a tattoo studio that had a type 1 employee!!...good luck...oh yea tat's on your feet hurt really bad!!!