Body Piercing...Is is Safe?

What are you going to have pierced? You'll have to let us know how it goes!

Warmly,
Kristin

Kristin Davis

How exciting! What are you considering piercing? Here are a few considerations for piercings:

Blood-borne diseases. If the equipment used to do your piercing is contaminated with the blood of an infected person, you can contract a number of serious blood-borne diseases. These include hepatitis C, hepatitis B, tetanus and HIV — the virus that causes AIDS.
Allergic reactions. Some piercing jewelry is made of nickel or brass, which can cause allergic reactions.
Oral complications. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. Also, tongue swelling after a new piercing can block the throat and airway.
Skin infections. Typical signs and symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like discharge. Redness and pain caused by an infection usually start within a few days to weeks after the procedure and increase in intensity over time. Infections from piercings in the upper ear cartilage are especially serious. Antibiotics are often ineffective. Because cartilage doesn't have its own blood supply, the drug can't reach the infection site. Such infection can lead to cartilage damage and serious, permanent ear deformity.
Scars and keloids. Body piercing can cause scars and keloids — ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
Tearing or trauma. Jewelry can get caught and torn out accidentally. Trauma to a piercing may require surgery or stitches to repair. If not repaired, the damaged area may develop permanent scars or deformity.

Source: Mayo Clinic

For more on caring for your piercings, visit this link

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/piercings/SN00049