Bacterial infection is the main risk associated with body piercings.
Sometimes, an abscess (build-up of pus) forms around the piercing site. If left untreated, this has the potential to develop into blood poisoning or toxic shock syndrome, which can be very serious.
Tongue piercings carry a higher risk of bacterial infection because of the high number of bacteria already present inside the mouth.
Earlobe piercings are generally safe.
Other general risks
Other possible problems that come with body piercing are:
- Bleeding and blood loss, especially in areas of the body with a lot of blood vessels, such as the tongue.
- Swelling of the skin around the piercing.
- Scarring and the formation of keloid (a type of oversized scar). Tell your body piercer if you know that your skin has a tendency to form keloid scars.
Specific risks
Any piercing that interferes with the normal functioning of the body carries a higher risk. Specific piercings each present their own risks. For example:
- Oral (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 the risk that your airways will become blocked.
- Genital piercings can interfere with the functions of the genitals, sometimes making sex and urination difficult and painful. This is particularly common with piercings on and around the penis.
- Ear cartilage piercings (at the top of the ear) are riskier than earlobe piercings. If the site becomes infected, you may develop a painful abscess. This is because the skin is very close to the underlying cartilage and pus can become trapped. Antibiotics do not successfully treat this problem. Surgery is usually required to remove the affected cartilage. This can lead to a deformed ear.
- 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.
