Overview
Body piercing can be done almost anywhere and in any style. It varies, with
multiple hoops up, around and inside the ear, or studs and rings in the
tongue, eyebrow, nostril, belly-button or lips. Here is a brief overview of
the most popular kinds of piercings.
Ear
Ear piecing is unlikely to cause infection or damage if you have it done by
someone trained in piercing, and if you properly care for your ears. After
you have your ears pierced, you must wash the area daily and use a saline
solution or triple antibiotic ointment. Rotate the earrings at least twice a
day to keep the holes open, but do not force rotation without first applying
or soaking the area in warm water. Also, do not remove the earrings for
three to four weeks while the skin heals. If you do not follow this
procedure, you run the risk of developing Perichondritis .
During the first year, wear earrings most of the time. Newly pierced ears
will close up quickly during that time period. Also, do not wear dangling
earrings while playing sports. They can get caught on clothing or hair and
tear the earlobe.
Ear lobe piercings take about six to eight weeks to heal. If you pierce
other parts of your ear, it will take longer to heal and will not close up
as easily. For example, an ear cartilage piercing takes four months to one
year to heal completely.
Tongue
A study in the Journal of Periodontology reported that tongue rings can
cause gum recession (requiring a root canal and/or other oral surgeries) and
chipped teeth. They also found that tongue piercings may also cause tongue
swelling, difficulties with chewing and swallowing, tissue overgrowth and
metal hypersensitivity.
Also, if you usually take antibiotics for Mitral Valve Prolapse before any
dental work, tongue piercing is probably not a good idea for you.
If you still decide to get your tongue pierced, you must use non-alcoholic
mouthwash two or three times a day after getting your tongue pierced.
Alcoholic mouthwash (i.e. Listerine) can burn the pierced area and break
down the healing process. Also, avoid oral contact with other persons,
alcohol, hot liquids and spicy foods until the area is healed (approximately
three weeks). Use ice during the healing process to decrease swelling.
After the healing process, always keep your tongue level in your mouth while
you eat to avoid biting on the jewelry. Finally, brush your tongue and
jewelry each time you brush your teeth.
Belly Button Piercing
Belly button piercings can take up to five months to heal. Avoid clothes
that create friction (i.e. wool) or build up moisture (i.e. polyester). This
increases the chance of infection.
Other approximate healing times for popular piercings:
Eyebrow Six to eight weeks
Nostril Two to four months
Lip Two to three months
Nipple Three to six months
Before You Pierce
There are things you need to know before you get anything pierced. First,
get informed. Consider what the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) has to say about it. According to scientists at the CDC, tattoos and
piercings that are not performed by professionals could possibly be linked
to the infectious liver disease called Hepatitis C . All piercings should be
done by professionals who follow health and safety guidelines that prevent
the spread of these diseases. Never pierce yourself or a friend.
Do not let a studio with stud guns pierce your body. The Association of
Professional Piercers (APP) does not condone this method of piercing (even
for earlobes) because the guns cannot be cleaned completely, can cause
significant tissue damage and can actually cause jewelry to become embedded
in the skin.
Piercings are also susceptible to other infections during the healing
period. Even if you get pierced by a professional, you must take care of
your new piercing to promote healing and prevent infection and permanent
skin damage.
If you decide to get pierced, avoid cheaper jewelry. Instead, invest in
quality jewelry such as surgical stainless steel, 14K gold or titanium.
Also, consider wearing only gold jewelry at first. Many people find they are
allergic to any other kind of metal.
Do not remove your jewelry for any length of time while it is healing, or it
will close. After the piercing has toughened, it will not close but shrink
if the jewelry is removed.
All piercings produce a white discharge during the healing period but this
is normal. If the pus turns yellow in color, this may be a symptom of
infection. Other symptoms include pain, swelling, inflammation (area feels
warm or hot to the touch) and excessive redness. Absolutely, do not remove
your jewelry. If the jewelry is removed, the opening of the piercing will
close and trap the infection inside.
The APP recommends cleaning your ear with packaged, sterile saline solution
with no additives, or a non-iodized sea salt mixture. The sea salt mixture
can be made easily--just dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 tsp of iodine-free sea salt
into 1 cup of warm distilled or bottled water. The APP also recommends
washing the piercing with liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap. Do not
use alcohol or petroleum-based products. They can irritate the piercing and
trap bacteria.
Ask Your Physician
Take your time while looking for a studio to pierce you. Find somewhere
professional with proper accreditation. The APP has a listing of all
APP-approved piercers on its website. You should also find a place that
takes time to answer your questions.
If you want a piercing, ask your health care provider about taking an
antibiotic just before and after piercing (especially for tongue piercings).
If you suspect an infection, contact your health care provider.
Talk over the piercing decision with your parents. A growing number of
states require parental consent for piercing because these are considered
invasive procedure.