Making Sure the Piercing Shop Is Safe and Sanitary

Body piercing is regulated in some states but not others. Although most piercing shops try to provide a clean and healthy environment, some shops might not take proper precautions against infections or other health hazards.

If you decide to get a body piercing, do a little investigative work about a shop's procedures and find out whether they provide a clean and safe environment for their customers. Every shop should have an autoclave (a sterilizing machine) and should keep instruments in sealed packets. Ask questions and make sure:

the shop is clean the person doing the piercing washes his or her hands with a germicidal soap the person doing the piercing wears fresh disposable gloves (like those worn at a doctor's office) the person doing the piercing uses disposable or sterilized instruments the person doing the piercing does not use a piercing gun (they're not sterile) the needle being used is new and is being used for the first time the needle is disposed of in a special sealed container after the piercing there are procedures for the proper handling and disposal of waste (like needles or gauze with blood on it) It's also a good idea to ask about the types of jewelry the shop offers because some people have allergic reactions to some types of metals. Before you get a piercing, make sure you know if you're allergic to certain metals or not. Only non-toxic metals such as the following should be used for body piercings:

surgical steel solid 14-karat or 18-karat gold niobium titanium platinum If you think the shop isn't clean enough, if all your questions aren't answered, or if you feel in any way uncomfortable, go somewhere else to get your piercing.

Some Health Risks If all goes well, you should be fine after a body piercing except for some temporary symptoms, including some pain, swelling at the pierced area, and in the case of a tongue piercing, increased saliva. But be aware that several things, including the following, can go wrong in some cases:

chronic infection uncontrollable or prolonged bleeding scarring hepatitis B and C tetanus skin allergies to the jewelry that's used abscesses or boils (collections of pus that can form under your skin at the site of the piercing) inflammation or nerve damage Depending on the body part, healing times can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year. If you do get a piercing, make sure you take good care of it afterward - don't pick or tug at it, keep the area clean with soap (not alcohol), and don't touch it without washing your hands first. Never use hydrogen peroxide because it can break down newly formed tissue. If you have a mouth piercing, use an antibacterial mouthwash after eating.

If you're thinking of donating blood, keep in mind some organizations won't accept blood donations from anyone who has had a body piercing or tattoo within the last year because both procedures can transmit blood-borne diseases.

If your piercing doesn't heal correctly or you feel something might be wrong, it's important to have someone help you get medical attention. Most importantly - don't pierce yourself or have a friend do it - make sure it's done by a professional in a safe and clean environment.

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