Risks from piercings

Infection

Bacterial infection is the main risk associated with piercings.

An abscess (build-up of pus) may form around the piercing site which, if left untreated, may need to be surgically drained and can leave a scar.

In rare cases, an infection could lead to blood poisoning ( sepsis ) or toxic shock syndrome , which can be very serious. Blood poisoning can also occur without an abscess.

In the UK, registered piercing premises use sterile, disposable needles and equipment. This means the risk of passing on viruses, such as hepatitis and HIV , is almost non-existent.

Other general risks

Other risks from piercings include:

• bleeding, particularly in areas of the body with a lot of blood vessels, such as the tongue
• swelling of the skin around the piercing
• scarring tell your piercer if you know your skin has a tendency to form keloid scars (a type of ovesized scar)

Specific risks related to the site of a piercing

Any piercing that interferes with bodily functions carries a higher risk of causing problems. For example:

• tongue piercings can cause speech impediments and chipped teeth if the jewellery wears away tooth enamel; there's also a higher risk of bleeding and a risk that your airways will become blocked due to the tongue swelling
• genital piercings can sometimes make sex and urinating difficult and painful, particularly with piercings on and around the penis
• ear cartilage piercings (at the top of the ear) are riskier than earlobe piercings; they can cause infection and lead to an abscess developing; antibiotics aren't always effective and surgery may be needed to remove the affected cartilage
• nose piercings are riskier than earlobe piercings, as the inner surface of the nose (which can't be disinfected) holds bacteria that can cause infection

Self-piercing

Doing your own piercing is dangerous and should be avoided. Without the right equipment, there's a greater risk of infection and scarring.