by Sandy (Dec 3, 2005)

It consists in making a hole in the skin to insert a jewel.
Reserved for the punks and other origins in the 80’s and 90’s, the fashion of piercing progressively spread to all the population of the world.
But it’s becoming a problem of public health because this practice is not devoid of danger.

The problem is innocent but real : any person who wants to be a driller can do it but without special qualication and authorization and particularly without hygiene : disinfection of the skin and the jewels, use of equipment only one time, washing of the hands, etc.

Indeed, any intrusion in the skin, even minimal, exposes the body to bacterial infection from the skin itself or the equipment and jewels.

The cicatrization can last for some weeks or some months, it depends on the piercing.

Some examples: 
- Cartilage = 6 to 9 months
- Nose = 7 to 9 weeks
- Tongue = 4 to 6 weeks
- Navel = 4 to 9 months
- Arch = 8 to 12 weeks
- Ear lobe = 6 to 8 weeks

The parts of the body which are the most sensitive to infection are : the tongue, the nose, the navel and the ears. Some infections can generate amputation.
Any local infection can cause general infection like septicemia.

With the tongue, some other complications can be possible : increase of saliva, difficulty of elocution, inhalation of the jewel, haemorrhage ...

Besides bacterial infections, the transmission of hepatitis B and C or AIDS from the instruments or the operator are rare but possible.

But don’t worry. Piercing is safe when it’s done in good conditions. Get the right information before doing it.

another article on the subject

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.

Jan 21, 2006

I think piercings can be really dangerous, and when you're young it's ridiculous to risk having infections. Indeed, it's beautiful and "fashion", but you don't have to be covered with piercings to be cute! We don't insist enough on health problems, and too many people do that without being informed and in bad conditions.
Thank you for this good (and really informative) article.

Elise (Blois, YGTP)

Feb 15, 2006

Let me say quickly that I totally agree with the last letter to the editor (21 Jan). I think that some piercings look cool with some girls for example, but I already know two people from my school who really had big health problems later. Their wounds got terribly infected, one girl even had to go to hospital to get the thing out again. She says she will never have a piercing again.
Everybody can do what he wants, but I think piercings are really stupid and if you are good-looking you do not need a piercing. And if you are ugly, a piercing does not help, too.

Mike (Menden, Germany)

March 5, 2006

Dear Sandy,
After reading you article, I was very shocked. I didn't know how dangerous it could be to get a piercing in a dirty piercing shop. I will think about it very long and good before getting a piercing.

Christiane (Menden, Germany)

April 29, 2006

I think that it is a very good idea to inform in this article the problems and difficulties that someone can have by having a jewel in his or her skin. I didn´t know that some infections produced by the piercing could end in an amputation or in a general infection. 
Here in Argentina, body piercing is very popular and there are lots of people who have one. I have a friend who has a piercing in her navel, that told me what to do and what not to do in case you want to have a piercing. To get a piercing done, you have to go to a tatoo shop. There, the driller gives you a contract which you have to sign by yourself unless you aren't 18 years old. In that case, you have to sign it with your parents. After drilling your body, the driller gives you a card explaining how to take care of the jewel. You have to put "Pervinox" (an antiseptic solution) with water on the part of the body where you have the piercing to disinfect it. You can change the jewel only after it heals. What you cannot do is wash it with soap (because it can cause you an allergy) and obviously, you can´t go to the beach because sand can get caught in the perforation (at least, until it heals). I am sure these recommendations are told in every country as well. 
To conclude, I believe that what you´ve written is very useful and interesting. 

Romina (Buenos Aires, Argentina)