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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Feb 2012Body and earlobe piercing are common practices in the USA today. Minor complications including infection and bleeding occur frequently and, although rare, major... (Review)
Review
Body and earlobe piercing are common practices in the USA today. Minor complications including infection and bleeding occur frequently and, although rare, major complications have been reported. Healthcare professionals should be cognizant of the medical consequences of body piercing. Complications vary depending on the body-piercing site, materials used, experience of the practitioner, hygiene regimens, and aftercare by the recipient. Localized infections are common. Systemic infections such as viral hepatitis and toxic shock syndrome and distant infections such as endocarditis and brain abscesses have been reported. Other general complications include allergic contact dermatitis (e.g. from nickel or latex), bleeding, scarring and keloid formation, nerve damage, and interference with medical procedures such as intubation and blood/organ donation. Site-specific complications have been reported. Oral piercings may lead to difficulty speaking and eating, excessive salivation, and dental problems. Oral and nasal piercings may be aspirated or become embedded, requiring surgical removal. Piercing tracts in the ear, nipple, and navel are prone to tearing. Galactorrhea may be caused by stimulation from a nipple piercing. Genital piercings may lead to infertility secondary to infection, and obstruction of the urethra secondary to scar formation. In men, priapism and fistula formation may occur. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and have a piercing or are considering obtaining one need to be aware of the rare complications that may affect them or their child. Though not a 'complication' per se, many studies have reported body piercing as a marker for high-risk behavior, psychopathologic symptoms, and anti-social personality traits. When it comes to piercing complications, prevention is the key. Body piercers should take a complete medical and social history to identify conditions that may predispose an individual to complications, and candidates should choose a qualified practitioner to perform their piercing. As body piercing continues to be popular, understanding the risks of the procedures as well as the medical and psychosocial implications of wearing piercing jewelry is important for the medical practitioner.
Topics: Body Piercing; Female; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Safety
PubMed: 22175301
DOI: 10.2165/11593220-000000000-00000 -
American Family Physician Nov 2005The trend of body piercing at sites other than the earlobe has grown in popularity in the past decade. The tongue, lips, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals may... (Review)
Review
The trend of body piercing at sites other than the earlobe has grown in popularity in the past decade. The tongue, lips, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals may be pierced. Complications of body piercing include local and systemic infections, poor cosmesis, and foreign body rejection. Swelling and tooth fracture are common problems after tongue piercing. Minor infections, allergic contact dermatitis, keloid formation, and traumatic tearing may occur after piercing of the earlobe. "High" ear piercing through the ear cartilage is associated with more serious infections and disfigurement. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are advised for treatment of auricular perichondritis because of their antipseudomonal activity. Many complications from piercing are body-site-specific or related to the piercing technique used. Navel, nipple, and genital piercings often have prolonged healing times. Family physicians should be prepared to address complications of body piercing and provide accurate information to patients.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Body Piercing; Family Practice; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infections; Male
PubMed: 16342832
DOI: No ID Found -
Skin Therapy Letter Sep 2009Young adult populations (18-25 years of age) throughout the world have latched onto the mainstream trend of body piercing. Best health care practices for these... (Review)
Review
Young adult populations (18-25 years of age) throughout the world have latched onto the mainstream trend of body piercing. Best health care practices for these individuals involves the knowledge of proper procedural techniques, postsite care, common complications, and treatment modalities.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Piercing; Endocarditis; Female; Humans; Jewelry; Male; Risk Factors; Sepsis; Skin Diseases; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Soft Tissue Infections; Young Adult
PubMed: 20039596
DOI: No ID Found -
Microbiology Spectrum Dec 2015The infectious complications of body piercing and tattooing are reviewed. (Review)
Review
The infectious complications of body piercing and tattooing are reviewed.
Topics: Body Piercing; Humans; Infections; Tattooing
PubMed: 27337275
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.IOL5-0016-2015 -
Journal of Forensic Nursing 2005To provide safe and effective care for patients with body piercings, nurses must become more knowledgeable about this increasingly common practice. Competent nursing... (Review)
Review
To provide safe and effective care for patients with body piercings, nurses must become more knowledgeable about this increasingly common practice. Competent nursing care is more than simply noting the presence or absence of body piercings, but includes accurate assessment, cultural sensitivity, and related patient education. Body piercings can create treatment challenges during trauma or post-assault care. An increased awareness of the history of body piercing, the piercing process, care of piercings, (including related wound care), and issues related to patient education, can enhance comprehensive nursing care.
Topics: Attitude to Health; Body Image; Body Piercing; Clinical Competence; Communication; Cultural Diversity; Forensic Nursing; Humans; Infection Control; Nurse's Role; Nurse-Patient Relations; Patient Education as Topic; Safety Management; Skin Care; Specimen Handling; Transcultural Nursing; Wound Healing; Wound Infection
PubMed: 17089483
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-3938.2005.tb00014.x -
Clinics in Dermatology 2007Although earrings have been worn since time immemorial, most clinicians will have noticed more and more patients over the past 30 years who have been seen to have single... (Review)
Review
Although earrings have been worn since time immemorial, most clinicians will have noticed more and more patients over the past 30 years who have been seen to have single or multiple piercing almost anywhere into the skin. This article will try to trace the history of body piercing, its comparatively recent popularity, where on the body piercing occurs, and the requirement for guidelines and legislation to try to ensure that the risks inherent in body piercing are lessened.
Topics: Attitude to Health; Body Piercing; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; Risk-Taking; Self Concept; Social Perception; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 17697925
DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.05.018 -
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2010
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alcoholism; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Body Piercing; Depressive Disorder; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Male; Mental Disorders; Psychopathology; Risk-Taking; Smoking; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide, Attempted; Unsafe Sex; Young Adult
PubMed: 20090400
DOI: 10.1159/000276376 -
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2019There are no recent data available in France regarding body piercing (BP).
BACKGROUND
There are no recent data available in France regarding body piercing (BP).
OBJECTIVE
We examined the demographics, motivations, quality of life, cutaneous conditions, and cutaneous side effects after BP within the French population.
METHODS
A representative sample of 5,000 individuals (aged 15 and over) from the general population responded to a survey online between April and August 2017. Data regarding demographics, BP characteristics (location, age at first piercing, hesitation, regrets, motivations, cutaneous side effects), tobacco, skin conditions (acne, contact eczema, atopic eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, vitiligo), and tattoos were collected. Respondents also filled an SF-12 quality of life questionnaire.
RESULTS
Overall, 12% of the respondents reported at least one BP (women: 19.4%, men: 8.4%, p < 0.01). The prevalence was highest among those aged between 25 and 34 years (25.8%). Individuals with BP were more likely to smoke (p < 0.01). The most common body parts for piercings were the external part of the ear (42%), the navel (24%), the tongue (15%), and the nose (11%). Gender differences included localization (belly button and nose for women, eyebrows for men) and motivations (embellishment of the body for women, individuality and sexuality for men). A total of 33.6% of the study participants reported having skin problems after BP, primarily infection (44%). Individuals with BPs were more likely to report having contact eczema, atopic dermatitis, and acne. BP was associated with a lower mental quality of life score.
CONCLUSION
This is the largest epidemiological study on BP in France to date. It allows us to draw a precise current snapshot of French indi viduals with BP.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Piercing; Child; Female; France; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 30404090
DOI: 10.1159/000494350 -
Infectious Disorders Drug Targets 2024The increasingly widespread practice of piercings is often accompanied by complications and hazards which are constantly increasing. Therefore, it seems necessary to pay... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The increasingly widespread practice of piercings is often accompanied by complications and hazards which are constantly increasing. Therefore, it seems necessary to pay attention to the non-negligible risks that these practices entail and to the possibilities of reducing them. Hence, this study was conducted to help raise awareness of the complications and hazards associated with body piercing as a growing type of body modification practice.
METHODS
Studies were searched in the PubMed database and the Google Scholar engine using the keywords, often in combination, including body piercing, body modification, complications, and infection. The searches were limited to post-2000. Studies without limitations on their types were included in this study.
RESULTS
The most important complications are infection, bleeding, trauma, allergy, and scarring. Infection is the most common complication which occurs in individuals after piercing. A wide spectrum of bacterial and viral infections may occur. Allergic manifestations are not uncommon, with the risk that sensitization thus acquired may have subsequent harmful consequences.
CONCLUSIONS
Educating people and health care professionals by conducting more studies to better understand the complications of body piercing can be a solution to reduce health problems related to body piercing.
Topics: Humans; Body Piercing; Health Personnel
PubMed: 37916624
DOI: 10.2174/0118715265257106231013065527 -
The American Journal of Nursing Jul 2005
Topics: Body Piercing; Emergency Service, Hospital; Equipment Design; Humans; Surgical Instruments
PubMed: 15995370
DOI: 10.1097/00000446-200507000-00006