All You Need to Know About Piercings and Diabetes

Getting a new piercing can be a fun way to express your personal style. If you live with diabetes, you can still get a piercing, but it may require a little extra planning and care. Before booking an appointment, it is helpful to understand how to prepare, care for your piercing, and recognize signs that it may need medical attention. 

Before Getting a Piercing

Good preparation can help support a smoother healing process. If your blood sugar levels have been running higher than usual or have been difficult to manage, consider talking with your diabetes care team before getting pierced. They can help you decide whether it is a good time to move forward. 

Choose a licensed and experienced piercing professional who follows proper safety and cleaning practices. The studio should be clean, and the piercer should use a new, sterile needle and wear fresh gloves. Check to see if your county or state health departments have rules, regulations or requirements.

💡Quick Tip: Piercing guns are generally not recommended because they may cause more damage to the surrounding tissue and can be harder to sterilize properly.

Before your appointment: 

• Eat a balanced meal to help reduce the risk of low blood sugar and fainting 

• Check your blood sugar as you normally would. 

• Bring a fast-acting glucose source, such as glucose tablets or juice, along with your blood glucose meter and supplies in case your blood sugar drops. 

• Drink plenty of water. 

• Tell the piercer that you have diabetes, especially if you use insulin or are at risk for low blood sugar. 

• Choose quality jewelry made from materials such as implant-grade titanium or surgical-grade stainless steel. 

💡Quick Tip: The location of the piercing also matters. Areas with reduced circulation may take longer to heal. While uncommon and not particularly recommended, foot and ankle piercings may carry additional risks for some people living with diabetes or have a history of slow-healing wounds. Also, avoid areas where you often inject insulin or where your continuous glucose monitor is worn.

Caring for Your New Piercing

Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer. In most cases, keeping the area clean and avoiding unnecessary touching are the most important steps. 

Wash your hands before touching or cleaning the piercing. Gently clean the area with a sterile saline solution, following your piercer’s instructions. Avoid twisting, spinning, or removing the jewelry while the piercing is healing. These actions can irritate the skin and slow the healing process. 

Avoid using rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps unless a healthcare professional recommends them. These products may dry out or damage healthy skin and make healing more difficult.

💡Quick Tip: Try to keep makeup, lotions, hair products, and other personal care products away from the area. Depending on the location of the piercing, you may also need to avoid swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs, or oceans during the early stages of healing. 

Keep an Eye on Blood Sugar

A new piercing is a wound, and your body needs time and energy to heal. Blood sugar levels that remain high may slow healing and increase the risk of infection. 

Continue checking your blood sugar according to your regular care plan. Illness, infection, stress, pain, and changes in your routine may affect your levels. If you notice unexpected changes, contact your diabetes care team for guidance. 

Know the Signs of a Problem

Some mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or clear drainage may be normal shortly after getting a piercing. These symptoms should gradually improve rather than get worse. 

Contact a healthcare professional if you notice any of the following signs: 

• Redness or swelling that spreads or becomes worse 

• Sharp or worsening pain instead of mild soreness along with skin that is warm to touch 

• Thick yellow or green drainage 

• A bad smell coming from the area 

• Red streaks extending from the piercing 

• Fever, chills, or feeling unwell 

• A wound that is not healing as expected 

• Blood sugar levels that are unusually high or difficult to manage 

💡Quick Tip: Do not remove the jewelry on your own if you think the area may be infected. Removing it could allow the opening to close and trap the infection beneath the skin. Ask a healthcare professional whether the jewelry should stay in place or be removed.

Express Yourself With a Little Extra Care

Living with diabetes does not automatically mean piercings are off-limits. Choosing a reputable piercer, planning ahead, keeping the area clean, maintain blood sugar levels within normal range, and checking for signs of infection can help encourage safer healing. A little preparation and careful aftercare can help you enjoy your new piercing while protecting your health. 

Author: Becky Day, RN, BSN, CDCES

This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.