Throughout history, the body piercing has become a symbol of beautysexuality, initiation rituals and rites of passage (a ritual in which an individual leaves one group to enter another).
Mayan nobility pierced tongue and genitals; during the Victorian era, many women pierce their nipples. After World War II, tongue, nipple and genital piercings occurred in Germany. Currently, the piercing has been fixed common in many tribal societies in Africa, Asia and South America.
In the United States, piercing it became common in the 1990s and perhaps more popular than ever.
I am dermatologist. My colleagues and I have seen the medical complications that piercing can cause. While people shouldn’t avoid drilling, they should be aware of the risks and best practices. It is also important to distinguish relatively safe ear piercings from more problematic and potentially dangerous ones.
Infections, scarring and nerve damage
Medical problems resulting from the piercing are common; the incidence of complications can be as high as one in five individual.
Some of the problems are relatively minor: jewelry allergies, bleeding, scarring, and keloid formation, which is an overgrowth of scar tissue. Complications of nerve damage also possible – and sometimes they affect internal organs or the cause sepsis, a potentially fatal disease that needs attention doctor immediately.
Other less common complications include: brain abscess (collection of pus in the brain due to an infection) And endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart that can be life-threatening. It is unclear how these complications occur, but one hypothesis is that they are caused by a needle infection, possibly from contaminated equipment used during the piercing.
Piercing is also associated with transmission hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The risk could come from the piercing procedure. However, it’s also possible that piercings aren’t the problem; instead, the cause is other high-risk behaviors – drug use, gang affiliation and skipping school, for example – which can be associated with piercings.
Not infrequently I see skin inflammation due to contact with metal jewelry. The prevalence of jewelry allergies is on the rise with an increase in the number of piercings a person has.
Up to 30% of people with piercings are allergic to nickel, a common metal found in jewelry. If you have a nickel allergy, you can still wear jewelry, but avoid nickel and use platinum, stainless steel, or gold instead. But don’t wear white gold – it may contain nickel.
Warning about tongue and genital piercings
Mouth piercings, which include upper or lower lip and tongue piercings, can be associated gingivitis, teething, cracks and fractures and gum recession. It is caused by ongoing trauma to the teeth and gums when the individual plays with the piercing.
Those who have tongue piercings often experiment temporary swelling of the tongue, pain, difficulty eating and excessive salivation. When the tongue or penis is pierced, there will be a little bleeding, but heavy bleeding can sometimes occur.
In fact, many men with genital piercings have reported complications. Prince Albert piercing – which occurs at the tip of the penis – is associated with the narrowing of the urinary opening; Sometimes, the newly created duct leaks sperm and urine. Rarely, it is related to squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.
Although piercings are generally safe if proper hygiene is followed, it is important to know the risks. Make sure you are aware of the safety precautions and insist that it is practiced correctly. Piercing salons can vary in terms of cleaning and practitioner experience. If you have any questions about where to get the piercing done, you can try consulting your doctor.
And a special warning for children who are having the piercing: an experienced technician, nurse or doctor should perform this procedure. And why proper care is so important reduce the chance of infectionpiercings should only be done after the baby is old enough to take care of the area.
