Risks of Body Piercing

Body piercing is back in vogue again. People resort to body piercing for a number of reasons. Some of them may be religious or cultural identification but for most it is a kind of a style statement. The process involves cutting or puncturing a body part and wearing jewelry. While most think that it is a form of beautification, they are unaware of the risks involved by causing deliberate tearing of delicate body parts.

Let’s have a look at the dangers of body piercings.

Allergy: There are often allergic reactions to the cleansing agents like hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, antibacterial products which are all associated with the piercings.

Contamination of newly pierced body parts by irritating substances are very common and care must be taken at all times.

Swimming may cause the piercing to tear when it comes in contact with the chlorine in the swimming pool.

Metallic reaction to the jewelry often causes contact dermatitis.

There may be bacterial, Parasitic and protozoan infections. Although most of these infections are fairly harmless infection of the pierced tongue or navel may be fatal.

There may be a loss of sensation due to improper piercing or cleansing during the process of piercing.

Entanglement of jewelery may cause tearing of the pierced area leading to severe pain and infection. A 14 gauge piercing is recommended for soft tissue piercings like the ear lobes, nipples and eyebrows.

Viral infections particularly  from pierced gums are often the cause of hepatitis and HIV. Although hepatitis may be transmitted through ear piercing and other body piercings transmission of HIV has not been recorded through these procedures.

Gingivitis or gum infections together with teeth decay and other infections of the mouth cavity may result from wearing ornaments on the lip and within the oral cavity. Sometimes such piercings affect the teeth and cause breaking of the tooth due to decay.

Removal of jewelry from the piercing should also be carefully done. Removal must never be attempted while the infection persists. Although most ornaments can be easily removed, removal of jewelry from certain parts of the body may need professional help.