As PWDs (people with diabetes), we face a huge laundry list of things we’re supposed to do, and an equally long list of things we’re not supposed to do, including having pedicures, getting waxed, or making any kind of permanent change to our bodies, namely getting pierced or tattooed. But where did these rules come from? And are they really worth listening to in this day and age? Today, Allison and I take a look a few of these “diabetes no-no’s” to see what you can really get away with.
Pedicures
Amy: I didn’t realize what a diabetes rebel I was until I read Kerri’s recent post about the taboo on pedicures with diabetes. What the … ? She was told as a youngster never to set foot in a nail salon, and has been afraid to do so ever since.
I, on the other hand, who was diagnosed at age 37, happen to live for salon pedicures. I have for a number of years now. I’ve even been to several mani-pedi birthday parties for friends here in the San Francisco Bay Area. My girlfriends and I just love the love salon experience. Nothing is quite as relaxing as sitting in that automatic-massage chair and having your feet luxuriously cleaned and pampered by a professional. You pick out youir colors and then plunge your feet into that little foot-sized hot tub to soak in fragrance water before they even get started… mmmm…
Could I cut my toenails at home and paint them myself? Certainly I could. I just don’t want to. I know that there are many myths / rumors / warnings out there about salons that carry bacteria, but I, fortunately, have never had a negative experience, even after dozens (hundreds?) of salon pedicures. Salons have to be licensed by each state, and I always look for licensing information, usually displayed on the walls. I also look for general cleanliness clues, like where/how the clipping tools are stored, and the state of the bathroom — I kid you not! If the salon’s bathroom looks shabby, head for the hills, Gals! That’s a clear sign that things aren’t being kept up. I also rely a lot on word of mouth. Salons are hyper-local, so if your local gang recommends them, thumbs up! If anybody you know has had a bad experience with a local salon, proceed with caution, for sure!
If anything pokes or pinches during your pedi, shout loudly, right away! There should be zero discomfort involved in a good pedicure, I can tell you that. But yes, Kerri: it usually tickles. A lot. And that’s not a bad thing. Just makes it hard to sit still while they’re painting your little piggies, is all 
Waxing
Allison: This might be venturing into TMI territory, but one of the first things I was surprised to learn is that, as a PWD, I shouldn’t get waxed. Yes, that kind of waxed. What gives? Well, when the hair is ripped out of the skin, it leaves the skin more prone to infection from in-grown hairs. Anything related to infection (which is most of this list) is immediately banned from PWDs because high blood sugar can prolong healing. There have certainly been a few scary tales, but are problems post-waxing so common that it needs to be completely avoided? Clearly, if you’re very prone to infection or in-grown hairs, you might want to be extra careful. Also, make sure you pick a reputable establishment, per Amy’s comments above — for the sake of your unmentionables! But otherwise, this goes on our NBD list (No Big Deal). At our next appointment, we’re sticking to the tried-and-true “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that PWDs often use!
Open-toed shoes
Allison: I think this is one of the first rules I broke. Although I suffered through my fair share of regrettable sartorial choices in the name of fashion, open-toed shoes have always been something I have embraced with ease, especially given the hot and humid Northeast summers. Obviously, if you know you have neuropathy, you should probably avoid uncomfortable shoes that cause blisters. If you are willingly wearing shoes that cause blisters, please try to find attractive shoes you love that actually fit your feet! Ouch!
WebMD has a laundry list of rules: don’t walk barefoot, don’t wear high heels, don’t wear new shoes for more than an hour at a time. Seriously, who makes this stuff up? I’m pretty sure I’ve broken every rule on this list… We say that as long as your shoes are comfortable and aren’t causing blisters, you’re probably safe in those cute new open-toed wedges. But yes, if you’re planning on off-roading it with a summer hike, your best bet is to cover up your toes.
Body Art – Tattoos & Piercings
Allison: And then there are tattoos. One of the most permanent changes you can make to your body. We’ve written about folks getting medic alert tattoos before, so it’s certainly something that PWDs can do, but are they allowed? Do you have to hide your diabetes in order to get one done?
Turns out: nope! This is definitely one myth that can be laid to rest. From medical alert tattoos to tattoo artist Darren Brass, a PWD and star on TV’s Miami Ink, there is plenty of proof that diabetics can get tattoos with nary a problem. Of course, you want to make sure that you take care of your tattoo so that it heals properly, and there are some spots to get tattooed that are better than others. For example, lower extremities, like the ankles, might be a challenge for people with poor circulation.
Diabetes certainly didn’t stop me from getting my very first tattoo this past weekend!
When filling out the liability forms, it did ask if I had diabetes, HIV, epilepsy or was pregnant. If I did have any of those, I was supposed to tell the tattoo artist. So, for the purposes of research, I did tell, wondering what they’d say. Turns out, they just like to know in case I faint. If they knew I had diabetes, they wouldn’t simply think, “Oh she just can’t stand needles!” So it was actually a really smart thing to ask, and it wasn’t an issue at all.
It turns out piercing are in a similar boat. As long as your blood sugar is under good control (doctors recommend A1C under 8%) and you’re up to the task of keeping your new piercing clean, you’re at a pretty low risk for developing an infection. Staying infection-free does mean there’s some work involved. Make sure to follow the directions for keeping a piercing clean, which means washing it regularly or using sea salt or antibacterial soap. They say you should consider the piercing an open wound and take proper care of it as it heals, which can take weeks! Personally, I’ve had diabetes since I was 8 years old, and now have six piercings: two in each lobe, one in my right nostril and one on my upper right ear. Keeping a piercing clean doesn’t take a lot of time, but it’s something you have to do consistently.
Tell us, Dear Readers, what kind of diabetes “no-no” rules have you broken? And how did you fare?
I’ve broken every “rule” on your list. However getting pedicures is my latest. Up until last year, I was like Kerri and was afraid to get one. But with the advice of a fellow D-friend, I bring my own supplies to the salon so that I at least know that what they are using on my feet are clean and only filled with my own germs, if any. I’ve had no problems at all so far. And I agree Amy, they are heavenly
I also have 4 tattoos and thinking of getting more. (Allison watch out, they are totally addictive!) I had no problems at all with them healing. My take on shoes has taken a turn recently since I’m in the beginning stages of neuropathy. I also think age took a part in this as now I’m not so much about the fashion but I’m all about the comfort! I never, ever walk around bare foot though. I’m a bit paranoid about that.
hey..
male here..
6 tats, earring, but never will I get a pedi again.. I got ingrown toe nails..
as for open toes, I live in Taiwan and its hot hot hot here.. I almost always have something on my feet.. flip flops, sandals etc..
in the house I wear my birks.. everey where else its Royal elastics.. thinking of getting some skechers.
I’ve started going barefoot again, although I will put on flip flops if I’m going outdoors or down in the basement. My feet feel better without shoes.
Nice tattoo Allison, and excellent word choice in Greek, I looked up χάρις on Strong’s. I can’t read the Hebrew.
Thanks Bernard! It’s faith in Hebrew, grace in Greek.
I go barefoot all the time, sometimes even outside. I do wear open toed shoes, but I have weirdly shaped feet and have trouble finding ones that fit.
I’m so glad you ladies did this article!!!
Well I didn’t hear about the no-no rules until after I broke all of them. I’ve always gone all over the place barefoot (where it’s decent to do so of course). I’ve worn stinky soccer cleats during muddy games hundreds of times. I’ve spent years of my life atop 5 inch heels. I’ve gotten pedicures. I had plenty of foot injuries from sports or other activities and have just cleaned the wounds, wrapped them up, soaked my foot in really hot water to kill the infection, and let them heal. I don’t have a tattoo but that’s because I prefer to use that money on shoes
These “rules” may apply to some people who have very poorly controlled diabetes, or have a complication such as neuropathy, but for those with well-controlled diabetes and no complications, I just don’t think they apply.
I did read a news article once about a young Type 1 woman in Australia with poorly controlled diabetes who actually died following a Brazilian waxing. Not worth it!
I went hang gliding for 45 minutes once… one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Love the tat Allison!
haha I have broken everyone of those rules! I love my pedicures! Well I don’t have a tattoo, but if I wanted to I would too! haha I have never had a problem with any of my rule breakings!
I am thoroughly bummed. Now that I am psyched about getting a diabetes tattoo – I am told it is contraindicated for people allergic to metals! Evidently the pigments in tat ink all have some metal components. By the time they actually market the nano-encapsulated inks, I probably will be too old to remember why I wanted a tat in the first place…
A couple of anecdotes:
Years ago, my beloved aunt gave me a gift pedicure at the salon she went to, and made sure to warn them that I had diabetes. Well, unfortunately, by the time the pedicure was done, my feet were hurting so bad, I swore never to do that again. I can cut my own toenails, and clean and moisturize my feet myself. Yes, it would be fun to be pampered, but not at the expense of pain.
Second, I used to go barefoot in my house, which has hardwood floors. One day, I stepped on a rusty thumbtack that I didn’t see. I went to the emergency room immediately, and fortunately, it didn’t get infected, but I keep thinking what if? A friend just had a leg amputated because of an infection she developed from surgery to repair a ruptured achilles tendon. I will admit to being terrified of amputations, even though she is handling it amazingly well, and will do anything I need to, to avoid the possibility!
very interesting info!
well…the poorly controlled PWB are not allowed to do anything of these?
I have broken many of them! Am careful about where I do manicures/pedicures. I always volunteer that I am diabetic, and so far, the person who is working with me has always known immediately why I told her that, and we usually end up chatting about it. Frankly, I don’t know what I would do if she gave me a blank look…I would probably have to reschedule…with someone else.
I am trying to break the walking around barefoot thing. But, I wear flip flops and open toed shoes all the time. My podiatrist says that as long as my feeling is good in my feet, I still can. But, I am supposed to keep in the back of my mind that someday, I will most likely have to stop.
I have a tattoo, but I got it before I was diabetic. Only have ears pierced, and they were done prior to diabetes too. Haven’t done waxing in some time, and never would’ve thought of that one!
I had all kinds of trouble with ingrown toenails in spite of getting a number of pedicures over the course of a year or so. Then, upon the advise of an older friend, I sought out a podiatrist. He identified an issue with the growth of the nails and did corrective steps, trimming the sides of my big toenails down with a sort of micro-chisel. He also grinds the nails to the correct length and shapes them with a tool very similar to a Dremel. I’ve been seeing the good doc about every 5 weeks for 6 months and no longer have pain. And his visits are about half the price of the spa pedicures I had been getting.
My sessions with the podiatrist are rather clinical and certainly not as luxurious as sitting in the pedi chair at a spa sipping a latte, but the end result is priceless!
Skip the pedicures and instead see a podiatrist if you’re having problems with ingrown toenails!
Hi Allison dig your tattoo, thanks for the info about tattoos I want to get more. Now I have proof to show my sisters it’s okay for me to get some tattoos. They were afraid I would get an infection.
http://www.krispykremechallenge.com/
Three words: Max bolus exceeded.
I have type 2 diabetes and currently have 5 tattoos and just got another on top of my right foot. My family went crazy with saying I am not allowed to be getting tattoos because of my diabetes but I am glad to find out I amnot the only one. I do plan on getting more because yes they are very addicting lol. As far as the pedicures I do get those and my nails done, but I have been going to the same very clean and upscale place for a long time. I know and watch how they clean the tools and machines and I am very happy with what they do. I am one woman that will not stop my womanly duties
I have also thought about getting my cartilage re pierced.