Only a few decades ago body piercing was only limited to our ears. Now, virtually any part of the body, and we mean any part of the body, can be pierced. Fashionably and socially it is a common occurrence that does not require more than the consent of the individual. But when the person getting a piercing has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there’s a lot more to consider.

Just because you’re diabetic doesn’t mean you can never get a body piercing. What it does mean is that performing them without taking certain precautions can be unnecessarily dangerous.

the most important rule involves piercing any part of your body, is to make sure your blood sugar levels are normal before you get the piercing done. This is because piercings, even when done under the most sterile circumstances, can easily become infected. If your blood sugar levels are out of control, the infection will set in quickly.

Another important consideration is to make sure you have eaten a proper meal within a reasonable period of time before getting the piercing done. Delays sometimes occur as unexpected bleeding may develop and will naturally need to be controlled. You may need to wait a certain period of time while the area clots. This is not a good time to realize that you have missed a meal or snack and do not have food or glucose tablets with you.

It is also important to take into account in which area of ​​the body you have crossed Under normal conditions, it’s okay to have piercings anywhere you want. But diabetics should remember that some areas should be reserved for taking their blood sugar readings and giving insulin injections. Since some parts of the body are better at performing these functions, they should be kept clear of nearby piercings.

Another reason to avoid piercing certain areas of your body is due to poor circulation. You always want to refrain from piercing an area known to develop limited circulation, as it will prevent the area from healing properly. Even if circulation is not a problem now, it could cause problems in the future, especially if the person with diabetes is not managing their condition as well as they should.

Lastly, is to make sure that the person doing the piercing is qualified to do it. It is also important that the workshop where the piercing will take place and the equipment involved are hygienic and sterile. This will severely reduce the risk of developing any infection.