Body Piercing Side Effects

Body piercings, a form of body art, has gained in popularity in recent years with young people. In addition, adults of all ages are having various parts of their bodies pierced, some with their children. Overall, body piercing is the fastest growing form of body decoration or art.

As body piercing is an invasive procedure, it carries with it some significant health risks. Any time the skin is pierced by anything, there is a chance that some form of bacteria or a virus can get into the breach in the body’s defenses and cause an infection. In addition to garden varieties of infections, a person is exposing him or herself to the risks of a variety of blood borne viruses and diseases. Some of the most dangerous include HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tetanus, and tuberculosis. There are not statistics on the number of individuals that have contracted these diseases via piercings.

In addition to the infection risks associated with body piercings, there is also the chance that the piercing will hit a nerve. This problem is particularly common when an individual has his or her eye brow pierced. While not the most common side effect, it is not unheard of. In this situation, the piercer doesn't position the piercing properly. When the needle goes through the brow, it damages a nerve in the face. This can cause, depending on which nerve is hit and how severe the damage is, part or even all of one side to droop.

In terms of infection, one of the most risky areas is the navel, or bellybutton. Bacteria can grow easily in this area due to its warmth and general level of darkness. Unless the navel is cleaned very well with an antiseptic, both before and after the piercing, an infection can occur.

Contact a Madison Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have incurred serious medical bills due to an infection from improperly cleaned piercing utensils, contact the Madison personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 1-800-242-7205.