McKinley Health = Center

Body Piercing

Questions to consider before getting your body art

Getting a tattoo or body piercing is a very important decision. You = should=20 make sure that this is something that you truly want and will not regret = years=20 later - while piercings may close up, they often leave permanent scars. = Before=20 getting any form of body art, make sure that you are emotionally and = mentally=20 stable. The following are some things that you might want to consider. = If you=20 answer no to any of these questions, then you may want to give yourself = more=20 time to think about your decision.

Do you like the way body art looks and have no doubts about = getting it?=20
Do you want body art for personal reasons and not simply because = of peer=20 pressure or as a way of rebellion?=20
Are you making your decision without the influence of alcohol or = other=20 drugs?=20
Do you understand the procedures for body art and are you prepared = for=20 them? All piercings done in a piercing shop are done with anesthesia.=20
Do you have an understanding of the risk of certain infections = that go=20 along with body art?=20
Have you taken proper precautions to ensure your safety? Most = states do=20 not regulate these artists or businesses. Have you received a tetanus=20 immunization in the last ten years?=20
Do you have a history of heart disease and/or heart surgery? If = so, any=20 type of body piercing places you at higher risk of endocarditis, a = serious=20 heart infection.

Questions to ask your body piercing artist

Anyone who is receiving a piercing has the right to ask about the = artist=E2=80=99s=20 training and experience. If the artist refuses or seems hesitant to = answer your=20 questions, it may be best for you to go somewhere else. Before you get a = piercing you should ask the following questions to ensure your = safety:

What training does the artist have?=20
What type of experience does the artist have?=20
Does the artist belong to a professional organization or = association?=20
Is the artist knowledgeable about anatomy and physiology, CPR, = prevention=20 of blood-borne diseases, and has he or she attended seminars = specifically=20 relating to piercing?=20
Does the artist have any samples of previous work, or references = that can=20 be contacted?=20
Does the artist discuss and provide directions on how to take care = of body=20 art?=20
McKinley Health Center Radiology Department. Could also be done in = an=20 out-patient clinic or hospital.

How to choose the right studio

In order to choose an appropriate studio, you should visit the = facility and=20 consider the following:

Check to see if they have an autoclave. An autoclave is a heat=20 sterilization machine regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. = Also=20 check to see if the studio runs regular spore testing in order to make = sure=20 that the autoclave is working properly. You may ask to see these = records.=20
Check to see if the studio reuses needles. Make sure that all = needles are=20 in individual packages that are opened while you are present. Make = sure that=20 all needles are placed in a sharps container after use.=20
A piercing gun/instrument should not be used; it cannot be = sterilized=20 properly and its use increases the risk of damaging tissue.=20
Look around the studio to make sure that it is clean, including = floors and=20 surfaces.=20
The artist should use disposable gloves and change them each time = he/she=20 touches a non-sterile surface.=20
Ask to see where the piercing takes place.=20
Ask how the studio provides privacy for clients getting a piercing = in an=20 area that they do not wish to have exposed.=20
Check to see if they have posted Certification of Board of Health=20 approval.=20
Physician (Radiologist) and Radiographer

Your rights

Please remember that everyone who is receiving a piercing has the = following=20 rights. You have the right to:

Be given service in a clean, open environment by a careful artist = wearing=20 a fresh pair of disposable gloves.=20
Have a professional and knowledgeable artist who will make their = client=E2=80=99s=20 experience as pleasant as possible.=20
Have a brand new, sterilized needle that will be placed in a = sharps=20 container immediately after it has been used for the procedure.=20
Be fitted with jewelry that is safe and appropriate in size, = material,=20 design, and construction.=20
Be fully informed about proper aftercare.=20
This test is hazardous if you have a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) = or=20 severe colitis. Test should be done cautiously if you have ulcerative = colitis,=20 diverticulitis, acute, bloody diarrhea or suspected pneumatosis = cytoides=20 intestinalis.

Piercing aftercare

If you develop fever, chills/shivering, shortness of breath, rash, = or=20 chest pain, seek care immediately.

Flesh piercing

Avoid touching your piercing.=20
Wash your hands prior to contact on or near piercing.=20
Remove blood plasma with warm water and a Q-tip.=20
Clean your piercing 3 =E2=80=93 5 times a day with warm water and = a small amount=20 of bacterial soap.=20
Clean the inside of the piercing by rotating the jewelry a few = times a=20 day, but only rotate during cleaning process.=20
Do not dry your piercing with a cloth towel. Instead use a = disposable=20 product such as a paper towel.=20
Avoid swimming pools, lakes, and rivers for at least two weeks = because=20 they often contain bacteria that can lead to infection.=20
Continue these instructions until the piercing is completely = healed.=20

Oral piercing

Avoid touching your piercing with unwashed hands.=20
Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash after eating, = drinking=20 (anything other than water), and smoking or placing anything else in = your=20 mouth.=20
Avoid oral sex, alcohol, and fruit juices until piercing is = completely=20 healed.=20
Take ibuprofen and suck on ice cubes as needed.

What are the risks?

Since body piercing regulations are not always properly enforced, = some=20 artists do not follow simple health rules that are designed to prevent=20 infection. As a result, there is always a risk of some type of infection = when=20 getting a piercing. The following are some serious infections that are=20 associated with piercing.

Allergic reactions to dyes used in tattoos and metals used in = piercing.=20
Hepatitis B=20
Hepatitis C=20
HIV=20
Tetanus=20
Tuberculosis=20
Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (per CDC)=20
Exposure to mercuric sulfide (also known as cinnabar), a red = pigment (per=20 CDC)=20
Leprosy (per CDC)=20
Endocartis=20
Condom rupture from genital piercing=20
E. coli infection from genital piercing=20
Increased risk of STI=E2=80=99s due to tissue damage from genital = piercing=20

Signs of infection

Redness or excessive swelling in the area of the piercing after = the first=20 48 hours=20
Throbbing pain or tenderness in the area of the piercing after the = first=20 48 hours=20
Red streaks in the skin around the wound or progressing away from = the=20 piercing=20
Pus or watery discharge draining from the piercing=20
Tender lumps or swelling in our armpit, groin or neck=20
Foul odor from the area of the piercing=20
Generalized chills/shivering, fever, rash, chest pain, or = shortness of=20 breath. If you notice any of these signs when examining your piercing = or have=20 any concerns, see a doctor immediately.

For more information

Alliance of Professional Tattooists Web site, search for body = piercing=20
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site, search for body = piercing=20
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site, search for body = piercing=20
Your local public health department

If you are a registered University of Illinois student and you have = questions=20 or concerns, or need to make an appointment, please call: Dial-A= -Nurse at=20 333-2700

If you are concerned about any difference in your treatment plan and = the=20 information in this handout, you are advised to contact your health care = provider.

Visit the McKinley Health Center Web site at: http://www.mckinley.il= linois.edu/mhc.html

HEd. III-246 -- 07-27-07 body_piercing
=C2=A9 The Board of = Trustees of the University of = Illinois,=20 2007