A medical alert tattoo is a relatively new concept. The premise is that a medical alert tattoo would be used as a substitute for diabetic adolescents who didn’t want the typical medical alert jewelry or senior citizens who suffered from Alzheimers and dementia and couldn’t be trusted to wear the jewelry. They also have the advantage that the tattoo doesn’t break as does happen with medical alert jewelry.
But if you have made the decision to use a medical alert tattoo, what should one look like and what type of information can you put on it?
-
First, you should place the tattoo on a conspicuous place, most likely your wrist, forearm or ankle.
-
Next, it should feature the universal medical symbol, something like the symbols below.
-
Finally, it should clearly state what the nature is of the medical condition. We are worrying about aesthetics. We are worrying about accurately communicating information if you are incapacitated.
It should be pointed out that there are some concerns about using the tattoos instead of normal jewelry. EMT’s are not trained to look for tattoos, but they do look for medical alert jewelry as a necklace, on the wrist or around your ankle.
In addition, conditions change. Just because you are a diabetic now, for example, doesn’t mean that in a few years with the right diet and exercise you could reach the point that you are considered to be a diabetic. In that case, you would be communicating faulty information to EMS workers in the event of an accident.
So, the decision to get a medical alert tattoo isn’t one that should be taken lightly and must weigh all of the potential benefits.
