AMA warns on body piercing
19 February 2001
‘Ask the right questions first’ is the latest message from the Australian Medical Association to anyone considering body piercing.
AMA president Dr Kerryn Phelps has launched a brochure entitled ‘Ask Some Piercing Questions’, to help educate people and to put a stop to the casualties seen by doctors when the piercing goes wrong.
Dr Phelps said that body piercing was growing in popularity in Australia—and not just in ears and noses.
‘More and more people are opting for pins and rings and studs in all sorts of places such as the tongue, navel, lips, cheeks, eyebrows, neck, breasts, and even the genitals. But this is presenting more areas where things can and do go wrong,’ she said.
‘Cauliflower ears because of cartilage infection, septicaemia, scar tissue on breasts and genitals, weeping wounds, hepatitis B and C, and HIV/AIDS—these are just some of the potential side-effects of piercing done without prior thought, or in a way that is not safe and hygienic,’ Dr Phelps said.
‘It’s not much fun for the doctors who have to clean up someone else’s costly mistakes and it’s less fun for the kids who are scarred after a serious infection or worse.’
Dr Phelps said that people needed to ask the right questions of the person doing the piercing before they had anything done and that was the brochure’s message.
‘Do they use a sterilising unit? Do they dispose of used needles? Is the studio or room clean?
‘Having a part of your body pierced is a very important decision and can have negative health effects if done poorly.
‘Talk to parents and friends—even your doctor—before getting it done. The more the information, the lower the risk,’ added Dr Phelps.
Copies of the brochures will be distributed to GPs’ rooms and AMA offices around Australia.
Last Reviewed: 23 February 2001
