The Dangers of Body Piercing

Body piercing has been around for centuries in different countries and cultures. In the West its popularity has fluctuated but it is clear that at the moment body piercing is becoming increasingly popular, fashionable and more sociably acceptable in both men and women. However, as well as being fashionable there are a number of dangers associated with body piercing that many people either aren't aware of, or underestimate, therefore piercings should be undertaken with much thought, consideration and care with the correct advice and done professionally.

At the moment body piercers do not need a license although they must register with the Environmental Health Department. If you are considering getting a piercing make sure you check that the place you go to is registered if only because this means that they are regularly subjected to inspections and registrations which minimizes the risk of complications, and it is more likely to have insurance cover should anything go wrong.

Some of the problems or complications associated with body piercings are:

• Irritation
• Pain
• Swelling
• Loss of sensation if nerve endings are damaged
• Scarring
• Allergic reactions
• Deformities
• Excessive bleeding if a large vein is pierced by mistake.

Piercings are so popular that it is estimated that 1 in 10 adults are pierced in places other than their ears:

• 33% in navel
• 19% in nose
• 13% in ears
• 9% in tongue
• 9% in nipple
• 8% in eyebrows
• 4% in lips
• 2% in genitals
• 3% in other places.

However according to research released by experts at the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine a third of these people have problems while 13% require medical attention. Among 16-24 year olds alone it is thought that 1 in 100 piercings leads to a hospital admission due to complications creating a substantial burden on the NHS. The piercings that are most likely to cause problems are:

• Tongue (50%)
• Genitals (45%)
• Nipples (38%)

Tongue piercings cause the most problems because if the jewelery becomes loose it can cause breathing problems or block the air way, also if the jewelery is accidentally bitten it can break or chip teeth so that you require reconstructive dental work, and it can cause gum recession. Lip and tongue piercings are at particular risk of infection due to food debris that gathers in the mouth which harbors bacteria.

Health and Safety:

• Body piercers must wear gloves and a new pair for each customer.
• Equipment should be properly sterilized.
• Jewellery should be sterile.
• Single-use disposable, sterile needles should be used.
• The area should be numbed although anesthetics are not usually given.
• Guns should only be used to pierce ears and not other parts of the body.
• The premises must be kept in hygienic condition.

If you feel that your piercing has gone wrong and become infected, scarred or not healed properly because of something the piercer did or did not do, such as failing to use sterile equipment or keep a hygienic environment, you may be entitled to compensation towards any medical treatment you required to resolve the problems and towards any discomfort or embarrassment that you suffered while the piercing was recovering. It may be helpful to take photos of any damage for use as evidence.

Aftercare and Treatment:

The basic procedure for any piercing is pushing a hollow needle through the skin, the underlying tissue and then the skin on the other side. This is an invasive procedure creating a wound that is open to infection and like any surgery requires aftercare and healing time. Correct aftercare and treatment instructions should be given to you by the piercer so that you can look after your piercing and avoid infections.

The body actually heals more quickly if it is left alone and usually takes about 30-90days (1-3months); twisting and turning the jewelery doesn't help because it disturbs the new skin growth. New skin can grow quite quickly once the piercing has been protected from infection and irritants including:

• Facial products containing certain chemicals.
• Shape or size of jewelery.
• Friction or motion of jewelery.
• Pressure on the jewelery such as sleeping or lying on it.
• Tap water- the fluid can cause ulceration of the wound bed.

Firstly simple things such as eating a balanced diet including Vitamin C and minerals, especially zinc, can help keep you healthy and fight off infections.

Hot compresses, such as a hot liquid or a heat pad set to medium, can be placed on the piercing for 10-15minutes once an hour until bedtime as this increases blood circulation which carries nutrients and oxygen to fuel the new skin growth and it helps build the immune response. However, an absorbent pad such as gauze should be placed between you and the compress so that it doesn't become sweaty.

Healing process:

In the first week small dry scabs should form (these should be left intact); you should avoid putting soap, tap water, make up or skin products on the piercing. After about 1 week the inside of the piercing sheds the dried scabs and cellular waste material leaving growing new skin which is delicate. Jewelery shouldn't be moved or changed until solid healthy skin has developed in the healed area; otherwise the delicate new skin will be damaged causing scars to form. Protective barriers such as occlusive dressings and 3M Nexcare Tegaderm can provide a moist healing environment that protects the piercing while you are bathing or swimming. This should be removed roughly every 72 hours so that perspiration does not build up underneath.

Often the jewelery can cause problems because it is poor quality or you are sensitive to it and have allergic reactions. Cheap nickel or brass commonly triggers allergic reactions and in some cases antibiotics may be needed. Alloys of gold, copper, silver and trace metals can also be irritating and prevent complete healing, therefore it may be better opting for more expensive but good quality jewelery such as titanium which is inert and used in internal surgery. If you catch an infection then you must eliminate the reservoir which is often the jewelery.

The American Society for Testing Materials or ASTM was originally set up 100years ago by engineers to standardize steel used in railways. Now it is used for standardising many other things as well. A standard is a document which is developed and established within consensus principles of an organization which meets the requirements of ASTM procedures and regulations. It is usually developed by the people who have a stake in the standard's development or use. It is recommended that titanium used in jewelery should meet ASTM standard F67, F136 or better, whereas steel should meet ASTM F138, F1537 or better and it should only be worn temporarily and only in healed piercings. 24 karat gold and platinum alloyed with Iridium or Ruthenium are biologically inert but they are heavy, soft and easily scratched and damaged.

To receive advice and help for your situation call Free phone 0800 652 4321 or 01642 252828. Alternatively, visit the website at mackssolicitors.co.uk and complete the online claim form. Macks Solicitors will be happy to give you free expert advice on making a compensation claim for the extra expenses and for your emotional and physical injuries. Making a claim through Macks Solicitors will not cost you anything and you will get to keep 100% of any compensation you are awarded.