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Conditions

Problem Piercings

Piercing

People have been piercing their bodies for thousands of years, but whilst modern day teenagers are more likely to be doing it to make a fashion statement than to intimidate their enemies, the potential health problems are much the same. Most piercing, if carried out in a safe and surgical environment, shouldn’t pose any health problems, but there are several infections, including Hepatitis B & C that can be passed by use of dirty instruments. You can also develop bacterial infections around the piercing, resulting in air or pus filled cysts that can develop into much more serious problems. Piercing carried out in the genitals should be looked after with increased care, as infections down here can inhibit sexual intercourse and urination – which is quite a price to pay for an piercing that (hopefully) most people won’t see…

Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I stupidly had my eyebrow pierced when I was 18 and have had the piercing out for over 4years now but it has never healed and seems as if someting is irritating it inside where the piercing was. I have been told I could have surgery to rectify this but could be left with a scar that would be quite obvious. Are there any other options please? As i don't want to spend the rest of my life putting cream on it everytime it flares up Thanks





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Ive had my nose pierced for 5 months now and i hate it. I can no longer sniff or blow my nose without it causing me pain and distress. I want to take it out but i know it will cover up and my mum wont let me have it done again. But if your getting it done good luck! just get plenty of studs because mine always fall out and get lost.





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Ive had my tongue pierced for 4 years now and the first year was agony, food would get stuck in my bar and i would have to take it out all the time and have to sterilise it which took ages. It would be a real hastle and i found i could no longer eat striny foods like spaghetti or strawberry laces. Overall it was not worth the time or pain, as its been ripped out a couple of times. I dont reccoment it, but if you want it done go ahead :) maybe im just unlucky.





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Ive had my belly button pierced, i advise you not to take it out for atleast 5 months as it could heal vey quickly, remember to clean it twice a-day and it should be fine.





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I got my tongue pierced 4 days ago, and a yellowy white kinda skin has started to form just to the front of it. i'm worried it could be infected... what should i do?





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that is you're taste buds beginning to die around the piercing and the hole it is normal so no need to worry.

that is you're taste buds beginning to die around the piercing and the hole it is normal so no need to worry.

I recently got my tongue pierced around 2 months ago. Everything was fine, until yesterday when i felt a pain underneath my tongue. I kept checking to see if it was fine, then today i went to look again and the ball had disappeared into my tongue at the bottom. It wasn't serious as i just pushed it out again, but i'm wondering what i should do and if this is anything to be worried about??





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i think you should go back to where you got it pierced and explain to them. usually it is a standard size ball on the ends but maybe yours is too small and it needs changing.as long as there isnt any pain it should be ok.

The bar in your tongue is probably too short. Get a longer bar and bigger balls for either side. I had the same problem with my tongue piercing, but I've had it for almost 3 years now and its fine.

I had my belly oeirced andd i love it ! but i just dont no weather its infected :/ yellow puss comes out evry one to 2 days and ive never been in any pain at all so could anyone tell me if its infected (im 13-14) and ive had it for aboutt a month





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if it is not sore then it probably isnt infected. u may just need to take care in cleaning it properly. i would suggest removing the bar and soak it in boiling salt water for 5 mins. use cotton wool and salt water (let boiled water cool down)and clean your belly button. once u have cleaned the bar put it bak in and clean your button day an night with salt water. if it doesnt get better go see a doctor!!

i got my belly done around this time last year. for about 3-5 months it will give out puss and possibly blood. this is nothing serious, it could just be a very mild infection which can be treated by using salt water and an ear bud and just go round the piercing and try and clean it. or you can use savlon spray to clean it as well.

hello my name is carla and im looking to get my tounge done and my belly button done, i have had my belly button done before (twice) and its fallen out it broke through my skin, do you think if i get it redone it would do it again? x





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You say it "broke through" the skin, do you mean it got "pushed out"? If so, this means your body has rejected the piercing. This often happens when piercings are done too close to the surface of the skin (with naval piercings). If this was the case, I wouldn't recommend getting it done again as your body has removed the "foreign object" before, it could (and possibly would) do it again.

hi, im 14 and had a peircing underneath my belly button (it was called a microderma piercing)after afew weeks it became infected and went a deep purple. it began to split and yellowish/green puss cameout, later on i popped it by accident and it bled for up to 3 days, i amnow left with a scar that is purple and somtimes has a stabbing pain, how can i get rid of the scar and thr pain? x x x





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Microdermals or surface piercings are often rejected (more likely with surface piercings). If you don't like the scar, they have topical medication (such as for stretch marks) that lighten scars and such. I'm not so sure about the pain, make sure the area stays clean, maybe keep a bandage over it?

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i have had my nose done about 1 year ago, but still now its painful and its leaking smelly, yellowy fluids. i have never been to th doctor about it what should i do?





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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