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WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON ORAL PIERCINGS? Also vital is the cooperation of the piercee to care for the piercing adequately. Following the piercing the use of ice, rest, and elevation (just like with any wound) drastically diminishes the aftermath. An over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory taken according to package instructions for the first few days can also help to keep swelling down. Most piercees report little or no bleeding and a minimum of swelling for a few days. Tongue and other oral piercings heal extremely quickly and uneventfully when all aspects are handled according to accepted practice. Highly suggested for optimal safety is to replace the initial jewelry (which has some extra room to allow for the usual amount of initial swelling) with a snugger piece which fits closer to the body. There is then less chance of contacting the jewelry with the teeth and other oral structures. Also, balls made of acrylic can be worn inside the mouth to minimize risk of damage to the teeth. Further, a smaller ball can be worn on the underside of the tongue to reduce contact with the sublingual portion of the oral cavity. These and other precautions can be taken which bring risk of getting and wearing oral piercings to a negligible level. Many of our colleagues have dedicated tremendous time and effort to become highly educated and skillful specialists. To disparage us and our field offhandedly without taking the details into consideration is not an accurate or helpful response. Particularly since many individuals still desire oral piercings, and intend to get them, it is far more constructive to provide accurate information and specific guidelines on what one should look for in a piercer. Please see our informational brochure Choosing a Piercer for details. This organization of committed professionals upholds an extremely high standard of safety and hygiene. Members’ web sites can also be accessed for additional information. If you would care to speak with a board member or if you have specific questions you would like for us to answer, please feel free to contact us. WHAT IS THE APP POLICY ON PIERCING MINORS? For any piercing of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form. Proof positive, state issued photo identification is required from the legal guardian, and a bona fide form of identification from the minor. In the event the parent has a different last name and/or address from the child, court documentation is needed to prove the relationship, i.e., divorce papers, or a remarriage certificate. Under no circumstances is it acceptable or appropriate for a piercer to perform piercing on the nipples or genitals of an individual under 18 years of age. WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON STERILE GLOVES? WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON NAVEL PIERCING AND PREGNANCY? Even long after the piercing is totally healed, it may or may not stay open without something in place. This varies from person to person. Wearing an inert plastic in the piercing will insure that it can be maintained. In the event you elect to remove the jewelry entirely there is a chance it could be reinserted using an insertion taper even if the old jewelry wonÕt go back in readily. If it cannot be reinserted it is quite likely that it can be repierced. As a side note, some women who lack sufficient tissue quantity or pliability for navel piercing prior to pregnancy are often well suited afterwards. There is no special care that is required during pregnancy for healed piercings. WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON BREAST FEEDING AND WOMEN Most women do remove their jewelry for breast feeding and we believe this to be appropriate. As a result, some milk may come from the site of the piercing during nursing, which is not harmful nor problematic. Some will use an insertion taper (a tool designed for this purpose) to facilitate reinsertion or to check regularly and make certain the holes are open. There is no special care that is required during pregnancy for healed piercings. WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON BODY ART DURING PREGNANCY? WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON BODY ART FOLLOWING PREGNANCY? Further, we suggest that a longer period be observed prior to nipple piercing. It is advisable and prudent to wait three months following the cessation of breast milk production before piercing of the nipples. WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON BODY PIERCING DURING NURSING? Further, we suggest that a longer period be observed prior to nipple piercing. It is advisable and prudent to wait three months following the cessation of breast milk production before piercing of the nipples. WHAT IS THE APP POSITION ON STUD GUNS? Reusable ear piercing guns can put clients in direct contact with the blood and body fluids of previous clients. Although they can become contaminated with bloodborne pathogens dozens of times in one day, ear piercing guns are often not sanitized in a medically recognized way. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. Blood from one client can aerosolize, becoming airborne in microscopic particles, and contaminate the inside of the gun. The next client’s tissue and jewelry may come into contact with these contaminated surfaces. There is thus a possibility of transmitting bloodborne disease-causing microorganisms through such ear piercing, as many medical studies report. As is now well known, the Hepatitis virus can live for extended periods
of time on inanimate surfaces, and could be harbored within a piercing
gun for several weeks or more. Hepatitis and common staph infections,
which could be found on such surfaces, constitute a serious public health
threat if they are introduced into even one reusable piercing gun. Considering
the dozens of clients whose initial piercings may have direct contact
with a single gun in one day, this is a cause for serious concern. Babies,
young children, and others with immature or compromised immune systems
may be at higher risk for contracting such infection. Piercing guns can cause significant tissue damage. Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite
dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure
over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the
skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing
and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as “blunt
force trauma.” At the least, it can result in significant pain and
swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased
incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications
such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring
are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous
fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect.
This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue
at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly
disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. Incidence can be minimized
by having the piercing performed with a sharp surgical needle, which slides
smoothly through the tissue and causes less tissue separation. A trained
piercer will also use a post-piercing pressure technique that minimizes
hypertrophic scar formation. The length and design of gun studs is inappropriate for healing piercings. Ear piercing studs are too short for some earlobes and most cartilage. Initially, the pressure of the gun’s mechanism is sufficient to force the pieces to lock over the tissue. However, once they are locked on, the compressed tissue cannot return to its normal state, is constricted and further irritated. At the least, the diminished air and blood circulation in the compressed tissue can lead to prolonged healing, minor complications and scarring. More disturbingly, the pressure of such tight jewelry can result in additional swelling and impaction. Both piercers and medical personnel have seen stud gun jewelry completely embedded in ear lobes and cartilage (as well as navels, nostrils and lips), even when pierced "properly" with a gun. This may require the jewelry to be cut out surgically, particularly in cases where one or both sides of the gun stud have disappeared completely beneath the surface of the skin. Such consequences are minimal when jewelry is custom fit to the client, allows sufficient room for swelling, and is installed with a needle piercing technique which creates less trauma and swelling. Jewelry that fits too closely also increases the risk of infection because it does not allow for thorough cleaning. During normal healing, body fluids containing cellular discharge and other products of the healing process are excreted from the piercing. But with inappropriate jewelry, they can become trapped around the hole. The fluid coagulates, becoming sticky and trapping bacteria against the skin. Unless thoroughly and frequently removed, this becomes an invitation to secondary infection. The design of the “butterfly” clasp of most gun studs can exacerbate this problem. Again, these consequences can be avoided with implant-grade jewelry that is designed for ease of cleaning and long-term wear. A further note on ear piercing studs: Most ear piercing studs are not made of materials certified by the FDA or ASTM as safe for long term implant in the human body. Even when coated in non-toxic gold plating, materials from underlying alloys can leach into human tissue through corrosion, scratches and surface defects, causing cytotoxicity and allergic reaction. Since manufacturing a durable corrosion- and defect-free coating for such studs is extremely difficult, medical literature considers only implant grade (ASTM F-138) steel and titanium to be appropriate for piercing stud composition. Studs made of any other materials, including non-implant grade steel (steel not batch certified as ASTM F-138), should not be used, regardless of the presence of surface plating. Misuse of ear piercing guns is extremely common. Even though many manufacturers’ instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun piercers do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Although gun piercing establishments usually train their operators, this training is not standardized and may amount to merely viewing a video, reading an instruction booklet, and/or practicing on cosmetic sponges or other employees. Allegations have been made that some establishments do not inform their employees of the serious risks involved in both performing and receiving gun piercings, and do not instruct staff on how to deal with situations such as client medical complications or gun malfunction. Indeed, surveys conducted in jewelry stores, beauty parlors and mall kiosks in England and the US revealed that many employees had little knowledge of risks or risk management related to their procedure. Considering that a large proportion of gun piercers’ clientele are minors or young adults, it is not surprising that few gun piercing complications are reported to medical personnel. Many clients may have been pierced without the knowledge or consent of parents or guardians who provide healthcare access. Therefore, the majority of the infections, scarring and minor complications may go unreported and untreated. Furthermore, because of the ease of acquiring a gun piercing and the lack of awareness of risk, many consumers fail to associate their negative experiences with the stud gun itself. They believe that, since it is quicker and easier to acquire a gun piercing than a manicure, gun piercing must be inherently risk-free. Often it is only when complications prove so severe as to require immediate medical attention that the connection is made and gun stud complications get reported to medical personnel. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow gun piercers to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of the public health.
The use of these piercing kits by untrained consumers results in significantly greater potential for the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and diseases than do piercings performed by skilled professionals. An area of particular concern is that of underage individuals performing body piercings on themselves and their friends using readily available piercing kits sold through mail order, on the Internet, or by calling a toll free telephone number. Young people are particularly at risk because, without parental consent, minors are denied professional piercing services in virtually all states where legislation has passed. However, they can still obtain the kits and get pierced without their parents' consent or knowledge. Should an infection or other complication occur, no responsible adult will be on hand to oversee the situation or provide access to appropriate medical care. Also of great concern is the possibly deadly potential for the contaminated needle to be reused on multiple people. Further, there are dangers of accidental needle sticks to others, since limited or no instructions are included for appropriate disposal of the used needle. Through legislation, many states allow body piercing that is performed only by a trained, licensed professional in an environment that provides hospital sterilization and submits itself to health department inspections. Most states (43) currently have legislation regarding personal criteria for the piercer, requirements for the piercing establishment, and highly specific laws necessitating parental consent for the piercing of minors. The laws and guidelines, along with the efforts of the professional body piercing community provide those interested in receiving a body piercing with a safe, clean environment to do so, and with a piercing technician who has appropriate training and sufficient experience to be hygienic and proficient. The nature of the piercing kits do not allow for any of these safety measures to take place. The kits can be purchased by anyone, which is the most relevant aspect of the eminent danger of piercing kits. Piercing kits are not purchased by licensed, experienced professional piercers, who already have access to such items and equipment through legitimate industry sources. Instead, they are purchased by those who either do not have access to an experienced piercer, or who do not have sufficient understanding of the issue to appreciate that sterility, skill and education are an integral part of the piercing procedure. As professional piercers we want to keep the art of body piercing safe for all who give and receive piercings. We take our field seriously and understand that the risks can be substantially minimized with proper training, equipment, and sterilization. Over-the-counter piercing kits undermine all the work we and our legislators have done to protect the public health while allowing our art form to flourish. Just say NO to piercing kits and those who sell them or use them.
In the interest of public safety, the Association of Professional Piercers would like to clarify the facts about genital piercing and its risks. Our comments are based upon twenty years of professional experience, research and extensive clinical practice by several hundred exemplary piercers. While we are not ourselves doctors, we do work in conjunction with medical practitioners and researchers. We trust that our comments will be taken in the spirit intended, as an effort to round out the existing dialogue. With full and appropriate information, it is our hope that consumers will be better able to make educated choices about their bodies and the ways in which they choose to celebrate them. It is also our hope that those who seek to protect and regulate the health of the public do so circumspectly, without unduly limiting or denigrating free bodily expression in its many forms. Some criticism of genital piercings focuses on the perceived risk of piercing nerve-laden genital tissue. There is also concern that genital tissue may be more susceptible to infection than are piercings of other body parts. Furthermore, it is possible that sexual contact can increase the threat of complications. When performed by a conscientious professional piercer using proper aseptic technique, the risks of complications from the piercing itself are minimal. When these conditions are paired with appropriate and thorough aftercare on the part of an educated client, negative consequences are extremely rare. As with all piercings, genital piercings should only be performed on consenting, sober adults by a skilled and licensed (where applicable) practitioner. All piercing studios should be designed to provide a sanitary, controlled environment that conforms to appropriate local and state regulations, as well as to OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards. All tools, needles and jewelry must be sterile, and all needles must also be single-use. The practitioner must have specific knowledge of both aseptic technique and of the procedure at hand. He or she must also make every reasonable effort to maintain the physical and psychological comfort and safety of the client. It is unquestionably true that some genital tissue contains much higher concentrations of nerve tissue than many other areas of the body. However, it is also true that this same tissue is physiologically designed to take increased abuse from friction, pressure and manipulation. Due to the rigors of childbirth, women’s genital tissue is by necessity well equipped to stretch, give and quickly repair itself, often with little pain or consequence. Both women and men describe the pain of the most common genital piercings as being similar in intensity to other body parts, and sometimes less so. The more advanced genital piercings (such as clitoris and ampallang) may be more intense, but these are usually performed only by the most experienced piercers who have greater technical and anatomical expertise. However, they tend to also be requested by, and are often limited to, clients who have already received and healed other piercings. Since anesthetics are not used in accepted practice, the continued existence of these piercings should attest to the manageability of the pain. As to the risks of excessive bleeding or neurological damage from common genital piercings, these risks are minimized when piercings are performed by a skilled and educated piercer using accepted techniques. Piercing-specific anatomical knowledge coupled with inspection of the area should allow a qualified piercer to perform the common piercings without incident. Specialized tools and procedures have also been developed by industry professionals in order to most successfully and safely manage the piercing procedure. When properly employed, these further reduce the risk of unanticipated consequence. The physiologic function of genital tissue requires that it be extremely elastic and vascular and therefore quick to heal. With few exceptions, genital piercings will heal within a month or two, while tougher tissue such as ear cartilage, navels and nostrils may take six months or longer. Because healing time is often so short, this implies a very small window of opportunity for infection to set in. Furthermore, genital tissue is not subject to frequent exposure and casual contact with the external environment and dirty hands the way other body parts may be. (Certainly an office worker lost in thought would not be toying idly with a labia ring as she might be with an earring or nostril ring.) Clothing further protects the piercing from airborne contaminants, which can be a cause of infection and irritation for facial piercings. The predominant cause of contamination and infection for genital piercings is most likely unprotected sexual contact. Even in the case of monogamous partners, body fluids, unwashed hands and oral bacteria can easily lead to infection if introduced in a wound. Fortunately, this exposure is 100% preventable. In addition to explaining appropriate cleaning protocol, a responsible piercer will emphasize to the client that during healing, all sexual and oral contact must be made fluid safe, either through abstinence or the use of barriers such as condoms and dental dams. Furthermore, undue stress, abuse or manipulation of the piercing site and/or jewelry should be avoided during healing. Of course it is the responsibility of the client to follow through with these instructions after leaving the piercing studio. Providing the client with thorough written instructions and an invitation for follow-up care can greatly improve compliance and healing success. In this discussion, it bears mentioning that the average genital piercing customer is a more informed consumer than the usual navel, ear or tongue piercing client. While often no more complicated from a piercer’s standpoint, genital piercings are a more advanced step in the mind of the piercee. Therefore those who elect to get them have usually already received and healed at least one other piercing, and are often more informed about the piercing process and aftercare. They are more likely to do advance research than are navel or facial piercing customers, and may be more likely to follow up with the piercer should questions or concerns arise. While of course genital piercings should never be done on anyone under eighteen (even with parental consent), these piercees are generally not eighteen-year-olds who are hiding the piercing and any consequences from their parents. In fact, these piercings are just as often being done on parents and other middle-aged adults, who are looking for new ways to appreciate their bodies and their relationships. In short, genital piercings can be done safely and healed easily, provided the clients follow through with appropriate aftercare and abstain from unsafe contact. Since these clients are often the most educated and conscientious of the piercing clientele, compliance with suggested care is more likely than it is with other piercings. While the idea of genital piercings stirs up fears of sexual taboos and contagious diseases for some (particularly for those physicians who see only worst case scenarios), the reality is truly quite different. Genital piercings today are being performed on a wide variety of people of all ages, sexualities and professional backgrounds. When performed under hygienic conditions by ethical and educated piercers on clients who follow suggested aftercare procedures, they represent a safe and creative way to assert bodily ownership and redefine the acceptability of pleasure. It is the challenge of professional piercers and those who regulate them to assure that these piercings remain both safe and available to those who choose them.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 1990 March 19(1):
73-6. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2003 February 111(2): 891-7; discussion
898. Contact Dermatitis. 1984 Jan; 10(1): 39-41. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2002 April 55(3): 194-7. Scottish Medical Journal. 2001 February 46(1): 9-10. AFTERCARE CLEANING SOLUTIONS - Packaged sterile saline solution* with no additives (read the label!)
or non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized
(iodine free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled
water. A stronger mixture is not better! Saline solution that is too strong
can irritate the piercing. CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS WHAT IS NORMAL WHAT TO DO WHAT TO AVOID Hints and Tips
- Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the
initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. A qualified
piercer should perform any necessary jewelry change that occurs during
healing. See APP website for “Picking your Piercer” brochure. For Particular Areas Navel Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial Nipple Genital DISCLAIMER *Consult your piercer, see Suggested Products below, or call (888) 888-1APP for current suggested products. This will allow us to keep current as advances are made in the field.
*Suggested Products Copyright © 2004, by the Association of Professional Piercers Oral Piercing Risks & Safety Measures When properly performed, the piercing procedure itself takes only a few seconds, and involves minimal discomfort and often no blood. Healing is ordinarily rapid and is commonly uneventful. Most of the concerns about oral piercings center on one of three areas: Fear of an unsafe procedure Piercer Has appropriate training; is skilled, experienced, clean and professional;
Jewelry Correct style of jewelry for the particular anatomy and piercing placement;
Traditional placement for a tongue piercing: Along the midline of the tongue, essentially in the center of the mouth;
Should be placed relatively perpendicular to the area to avoid having
the jewelry rest at a sharp angle. The piercer must thoroughly explain aftercare protocol, including providing
written and verbal guidelines detailing the use of antimicrobial alcohol-free
mouth rinses and sea salt rinses. What About Swelling? Gently sucking on chipped or shaved ice can diminish swelling during
initial healing
As the main ‘entry portal’ for any material entering the body, the oral cavity is exposed to a variety of toxins, bacteria, and other noxious substances on a near-constant basis. Drinking or eating anything contaminated with disease-causing microbes can potentially cause illness and infection. Breathing air that contains airborne pathogens may lead to other types of systemic disease. Why then are we relatively healthy despite this continual microbial assault? The answer lies in the design of the oral cavity and its defensive strategies. Salvia contains numerous antimicrobial factors that directly attack and deactivate harmful microbes. Among them: Lysozyme Because the head and neck region houses a highly concentrated system of veins, arteries and lymph vessels allowing for rapid transportation of these anti-infective agents, infectious agents can be attacked and dealt with in a swift manner. When a piercing in the oral cavity is performed, infection rates are negligible when sterile equipment, proper aseptic protocol and appropriate jewelry selection are combined with conscientious aftercare. This requires the education of both the piercer and the client, and with cooperation can ensure a safe and successful experience. Information is the Key To disparage the efforts of a burgeoning profession without full and appropriate information is not an accurate or helpful response. Since many individuals still desire oral piercings and intend to get them, it is far more constructive to provide accurate information and specific guidelines on safe piercing procedure and how to choose a practitioner. The APP is a non-profit organization dedicated to health, education and safety of piercers and the public. We are a group of committed professionals who uphold an extremely high standard of safety and hygiene. We support the development of appropriate regulations and standards to ensure the improvement of our art form and the continued safety of our clientele. For more information please contact the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) REFERENCES 2. Ten Cate AR: Oral histology: Development, structure, and function (2nd ed). C.V. Mosby Company (St. Louis). 1985 3. Staines N, Brostoff J and James K: Introducing immunology (2nd ed). C.V. Mosby Company (St. Louis). 1994. Body Piercing Troubleshooting For You and Your Healthcare Professional For the Piercee
The following are facts about body piercing and body jewelry to share with your doctor in order to make certain your physician is apprised of important data that can assist in decision making about your care and course of treatment.
For the Medical Professional
Things to consider when treating a troubled The majority of troublesome piercings can be resolved without the piercing
being lost. Ointments used for topical treatment are not preferred for body piercings: Inappropriate aftercare is one of the most common
High quality surgical implant grade stainless steel (specifically 316LVM ASTM F-138) Niobium Titanium (specifically Ti6A4V ELI, ASTM F-136) Solid 14k or 18k white or yellow gold Solid platinum Dense, low-porosity plastic such as Tygon or PTFE
Result of poor initial piercing placement
Result of poor initial piercing placement (most common) Infected Piercing: Most Common: Piercee has touched piercing with dirty hands or otherwise
contaminated piercing (exposure to bodily fluids, dirty water, etc.) Allergic Reactions:
Patient may present with complaints of itching, burning and/or tenderness S/he may feel virtually no discomfort, even though the piercing seems highly inflamed In addition to localized dermatitis, the opening to the piercing may appear significantly larger than the size of the jewelry Redness where the jewelry rests on the surface of the skin Granulation tissue will be visible • Solution/Treatment: Change to an appropriate biocompatible jewelry such as Titanium; or a dense, low-porosity plastic such as Tygon or PTFE
Tissue surrounding (up to several inches away) the piercing is red, seeping, or contact dermatitis is present Expansion of the piercing channel • Treatment: Discontinue current care regimen in favor of milder products and/or less care
There is never any need to cut body jewelry for removal. Even momentary removal of jewelry from a healing piercing can result in amazingly rapid closure of the piercing, and make reinsertion difficult or impossible. Removal of jewelry in the presence of an infection may result in an abscess. In the event there is a localized, draining infection,quality jewelry should be left in place to allow for passage of matter to the surface.
Fig. A On a bead ring,the bead is attached to one side of the ring. To open
the ring for removal, simply twist the ring open. Grasp the ring on each
side of the bead, pull gently and one end will pop out of the bead. By
pushing one end away from you and pulling the other end toward you to
open the ring like a spiral. Fig. B On a captive bead ring, the bead is held in by the tension of the ring.
Grasp the ring with one hand as close to the bead as you can and with
the other hand grasp the bead. Gently pull the ring and bead in opposite
directions and the bead should snap out of the ring. Twist the ring a
little (as in opening a bead ring) and rotate the jewelry to remove the
ring.
Fig. C Barbells and circular barbells have threaded ends which can be unscrewed.Like
most threaded objects,they tighten to the right and loosen to the left.On
this type of jewelry one or both of the ends will come unscrewed.
Ring Expanding Pliers or External Snap Ring Pliers can be used to spread
a ring open enough to pop a bead in or out.Place the head of the pliers
inside of the ring and gently squeeze on the handle to spread the jaws
outward,opening the ring just enough to pop the ball out. Please refer to the APP Aftercare Guidelines sheets (oral or body &
facial) for detailed information on the approved and accepted means of
optimally caring for healing piercings. DISCLAIMER Copyright © 2000, by the Association of Professional Piercers, any
changes or deletions are strictly prohibited and must be approved in writing
by the APP. IMPORTANT HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS (From the APP Manual, Pg. 36, containing important information for both piercees and piercers) Sometimes it is inappropriate to perform even the most standard piercing. A piercer should politely refuse to perform a piercing that could be dangerous, ill suited, unsuccessful, or for which they are not trained. The following are examples for which a second opinion, in some cases from a piercing-friendly physician, may be needed before proceeding: An individual with heart valve disease (such as mitral valve prolapse)
should consult their physician for prophylactic antibiotics PIERCING AND HEART CONDITIONS -Any client with an artificial (prosthetic) heart valve. Risks The American Heart Association (AHA) indicates that taking your prescription prophylactic antibiotics one hour before receiving a piercing or Etching will provide an effective prophylaxis against infection. *** Prevention is Key After you speak with your doctor, we suggest that you bring in a note
from your doctor approving your piercing, as well as the filled prescription
of antibiotics. Thanks to Nicole Brown of Budo Studio for researching this topic and
providing information to the APP |
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