PIERCING: INFORM TO LIMIT THE RISKS

The piercing needs to pierce the skin or mucous membranes and thus constitutes a potential gateway for infectious agents. The risks are real at the time of completion of the gesture, but also during the healing period that follows. Better learn to prevent the risks of piercing !

What are the risks of piercing?

There are several categories of complications:

• Local infectious complications (about 10 to 20% of piercings), including bacterial (streptococci, staphylococci, pseudomonas?);
• viral complications. Recall that the hepatitis B and C are transmitted by the mode of contamination, which is also the case in theory, the AIDS virus. But the herpes virus and papillomavirus for example;
• allergic complications (contact dermatitis, involving materials such as nickel, metals malleable and cheap);
• Other complications of body piercing are largely haematomas, bleeding of the tongue and pathological scarring.

Beware of the piercing that affects cartilage ...

When the piercing cartilage reached (eg located on the upper third of the pinna), the risk of infection can cause very significant consequences as the infection progresses rapidly cartilage. Thus, in case of local heat, redness and pain, signs of onset of swelling, be sure to read quickly.

Extreme caution in "zones filters"

The piercing is never a trivial gesture, and even if it occurs in "filter zones" such as the nose or areas of maceration as the navel, that is to say where the germs' s accumulate easily. But in general, any abnormal reactions must raise the alarm and bring to urgently consult his doctor. The important thing is to support the early stages of inflammation as soon as possible.

What are the cons of piercing-indications?

The cons-indications piercings abound, including immune deficiencies, chronic diseases of the skin, dental infections, treatment with corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs, allergy to implanted metal?

In practice, how to prevent the risks of piercing?

• Require hygiene. Indeed, apart from the dangers inherent in the location of the piercing , hygienic conditions under which it is made must be particularly rigorous. There are rules to respect health standard concerning equipment and local intervention: disposables, sterilization of the premises and equipment (clamps, but also jewelry, surgical steel or titanium, etc..) disinfection, gloves, waste disposal, etc..
• Ask questions on hygiene, conduct of the gesture, care, monitoring of the intervention, maintenance and possible risks. A piercing is not done on a whim, take the time to think and learn in advance.
• Visit the premises. The room where the body-piercing place should be reserved for that purpose.
• Check the rules of hygiene are strictly adhered to base: clean, disposable material otherwise sterile, sterile gloves, washing hands before and after each intervention, disinfect the skin before each treatment, etc..
• Absolutely avoid boring street.
• Check the cleanliness of the piercing (short nails, short hair or tied, no ring or other jewelry ...).
• The jewelry should be surgical steel or gold to prevent any allergies or infections, and of course be perfectly sterile.

After surgery

• Vigilance throughout the healing period. When in doubt, consult!
• Except for the disinfection, treatment depends on the area pierced. The maintenance is done according to instructions given by the piercer. Care after the piercing is an important factor in healing.
• After piercing tongue or genital herpes, it is recommended to abstain for 2 to 3 weeks of oral-oral contact, oral-genital sex, and thereafter to use condoms consistently until complete healing.
• According to the pierced area, avoid tight clothes and dirty, especially the friction wearing bra and panties, and sea bathing or swimming pool until complete healing.