By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, The Independent
Friday, 13 June 2008
For many young people, piercings of all parts of the body, hung with jewellery, have become an essential fashion accessory. But they carry significant risks, according to the first study to examine the complications arising from body art.
One in 10 adults in England has had a piercing somewhere other than the ear lobe of whom more than a quarter (28 per cent) experienced complications and one in 100 was admitted to hospital.
The survey of 10,000 people over 16 in England found more than 1,000 had a piercing, which was three times more common in women than men. Navel piercings were most common among women, with nipple piercings most common among men.
Piercings were most common in the youngest age group, those aged 16 to 24, who were also most likely to suffer complications.
Swelling, infection and bleeding were frequent side effects with tongue piercings the most risky.
Serious complications resulting in hospital admission mostly occurred with piercings performed by non-specialists rather than with those carried out in a tattoo parlour or a specialist piercing shop.
