medical id tattoo on fistula arm

[Barbsdaughter]

My mom has a brachialcephalic fistula in her left arm. She wants to get a tattoo on her left wrist saying restricted limb. I have been researching and cant find much on the topic. Any info i can get would be greatly appreciated.

[Alex C.]

So, then.......if her fistula fails (as they often do), and she gets a new fistula in the OTHER arm, what's she gonna do then?

[KatieV]

I have a medical ID bracelet on my fistula arm (loose - it can spin around my arm).  I figure that way if any information changes, I can always update it.  I've included my husband's phone number on it.  If I'm unconscious or something, they won't use my fistula arm and he can give them my other details.

[gothiclovemonkey]

Its a bad idea!
I have one!!!! LOL I have a Left AV Fistula (upper arm) and the tattoo is on the bottom part, near the top of my hand.

First of all,(this is coming straight from some nurses at the hospital!!)  the ER people are so used to seeing tattoos, they dont pay attention to them, but they are trained to notice the bracelets and such

Second of all, if the tattoo is anywhere close to the fistula, you could risk hurting the fistula!!!  Plus, the risk of infection of course...

[Barbsdaughter]

We are not worried about if it fails. Either way the limb will still be restricted ect no abg's or arterial sticks. The only info I am looking for is contraindications to a tattoo on the wrist of an arm with a working brachial fistula.

[gothiclovemonkey]

If its just because she wants it, thats cool, i just wanted to point out what I was told in the hospital, about the drs and nurses not paying attention to tattoos.

i have NO idea medically, but my own personal experience, i had no troubles. mine is far away from my actual fistula, and i took as many precautions to avoid infection. (including doing the tattoo myself! lol)
Some artists may not be comfortable doing that... I know I probably wouldnt want to, because it can be dangerous. and people are so quick to sue these days...

Also, I dont know if she is on any blood thinners, that is definitely not recommended!

[Desert Dancer]

I had intended to get one and actually went so far as to design it and contact our tattoo shop about it.

On further reflection, though, I decided not to go through with it. My main concern was the swelling that happens with a tattoo. If I had placed it where logic dictated and my forearm swelled up I think it would have caused some really serious problems with my fistula.

Given that a fistula is a literal lifeline I think it's better to err on the side of caution.