Growing Risk of Body Piercing

As the rate of body piercing grows, so does the rate of unnecessary infection and some of these infections can be life threatening. A November 2009 study found that the longer a tongue piercing is in place, the greater the presence of high periodontopathogenic microbes. Another 2009 article reported multiple brain abscesses linked to tongue piercing. As the social picture continues to change, parents are permitting younger children to have more ear and other piercings. This is translating into an added lifestyle elected health risk. A study at one hospital found that children visiting the clinic for piercing-related infections had a mean age of 8. They concluded that “Embedded earring is an uncommon complaint among children presenting to a pediatric ED. Young children are likely overrepresented in the occurrence of this problem, which supports the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to postpone ear piercing until self-care is achievable.”

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