Complications of body piercing

Introduction
Body piercing requires interruption of the continuity of the skin or mucous membranes, which creates a risk of serious complications. The most common complications of piercing include: bleeding, inflammation, cysts, keloids, bacterial infections, allergic reactions, and scars caused by long-lasting wound healing. If procedures involving skin penetration are not performed properly, customers and staff of piercing studios are subject to certain risks of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

Aim of the research
To evaluate complications of body piercing.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of persons who had more than one ear piercing. Piercing in both earlobes was regarded as a single piercing, while one earlobe with more than two punctures is considered as multiple, and such persons were included in the study. Additionally, a control group of 500 people aged 20 to 23 years without pierced ears were subjected to the same tests.

Results and conclusions
40.6% of subjects who used the procedure would change their decision on piercing, and 26.6% of subjects would change their choice about all punctures. Clients who had the procedure performed by professionals were often aware of the health risks. Piercing procedures are carried out with proper care for hygiene, disinfection, and sterilisation. Complications of body piercing are relatively rare – they appeared in 14.4% of the total. 89.2% of the study group and 60.4% of the control group would recommend the body piercing procedure.