Poke around before piercing

Popular trend

Piercings and tattoos are extremely popular in the United States, especially for people ages 18 to 22. A 2001 survey by an American university found 51 percent of students had piercings and 23 percent had tattoos. Studies also show that between 73 and 83 percent of women in the United States have pierced ears.

While most cases of piercing and tattooing are problem-free, the problems that do occur can be very serious. Don't forget, both piercing and tattooing require breaking the skin.

Sometimes the procedures break mucous membranes in the mouth and nose that help guard your body from infection. Piercing a mucous membrane creates a wound, leaving your sensitive inner tissues open to the outside world. This makes it much easier for viruses and harmful bacteria to enter your body.

In an unsafe piercing or tattooing environment, you can catch viruses like Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and herpes, as well as bacterial infections like streptococcus and staphylococcus, or staph infections. Like the viruses, some staph infections aren't treatable with antibiotics. They also can be painful and deadly.

Bacteria and viruses can be spread by used or dirty needles, unsafe disinfection practices, or contaminated antiseptic solutions.

You're responsible

Because tattooing and piercing aren't regulated by the government, it's up to you to make sure the artists use sterilized equipment and follow the right steps to keep you safe.

Before you get a tattoo or piercing, go visit a few parlors - before you select one, look for the following:

• A clean and brightly lit work area.
• Stainless steel instruments that can be easily cleaned and sterilized.
• Tattooing equipment that's wiped with alcohol after each use and covered with new disposable plastic.
• New and sterile tattooing and piercing needles.
• Artists and technicians with clean working habits - washing their hands before and after all steps of the procedure, wearing medical gloves while working.
• Separated clean and dirty zones. All piercing and tattooing should be done in the clean zone where only new, clean, and sterilized equipment is stored. All contaminated equipment should be taken to the dirty zone and thrown away or disinfected.
• All surfaces are cleaned with bleach and water.
• Oral and written care instructions are given to clients after the procedure.

Been there, done that

If you have a tattoo or piercing, be sure to:

• Follow the home-care instructions given to you at the parlor.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the pierced or tattooed area or rotating the jewelry.
• Make sure you use jewelry specifically designed for that particular piercing site.
• Use only jewelry made of surgical stainless steel, gold, platinum, niobium, or titanium.
• Do not share jewelry with others.
• See your doctor as soon as possible if you're concerned the area is infected.

Bottom line

Piercings and tattoos don't have to be a health risk. Before you puncture your skin, make sure you really want to, and think carefully about where to have your procedure done. By following a few simple steps, you can avoid serious health problems and possibly even death.

Think about the long term. Piercings will generally close after a few weeks without a post or jewelry - but occasionally require surgical closure if they enlarge. Small children and infants frequently grab attractive earrings, inflicting an earlobe laceration that may require stitches. Tattoos, except those done with special dyes, are with you for the rest of your life. Like the rest of your skin, tattoos tend to fade, blur, and sag over the years.

Sources

Health Canada

Germstop.com

WebMD.com