The danger awaiting those who get piercings
It has emerged that piercing procedures performed in unhygienic environments and by individuals without adequate training invite deadly diseases.
İHA
Dr. Derya Can from the Department of Dermatology at Medipol University Çamlıca Hospital stated that piercing applications have become quite popular among the 12 to 25 age group due to the influence of social media and the imitation of popular figures.
Dr. Derya Can explained that piercing procedures performed in unhygienic conditions and by individuals who have not received adequate training invite deadly diseases transmitted through the blood, such as HPV, molluscum, AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis.
Stating that piercing applications are currently performed in many licensed or unlicensed places, Can said, "Beyond beauty salons, accessory shops, and tattoo parlors, the number of young people performing these procedures on their friends or themselves is increasing. Videos on how to do it are shared on social media and it is spreading unconsciously among those under 18. The lack of questioning regarding parental consent further increases the problems that will be experienced."
'LEGAL MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN'
Dr. Derya Can stated that the procedures are performed under poor hygiene conditions and that the people performing the applications do not have adequate training. Dr. Can said that procedures performed under unhygienic conditions invite deadly diseases transmitted through the blood such as HPV, molluscum (a simple skin infection), AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, and therefore the public should be made aware and legal measures should be taken.
Stating that there is currently no legal regulation regarding who can perform piercing applications and after what training, the regular annual health checks of the people performing the application, and the inspection of the sterilization and hygiene of the materials used and the environment, Dr. Can listed the health problems experienced in applications made in incorrect and unhygienic environments as follows:
-As a result of not complying with adequate hygienic conditions, local bacterial skin or cartilage infections may develop. Within 1 to 3 days, redness, swelling, inflammation, and bloody discharge wounds occur in the procedure area. In this case, consult a Dermatology specialist immediately. These problems can be treated with simple antibiotic medications. If treatment is delayed, it can turn into systemic diseases such as sepsis and endocarditis (a serious heart disease).
-Hard bumps called foreign body granulomas may form in the area where the procedure is applied; in its treatment, the piercing is removed, and procedures such as antibiotic medications, surgery, and laser can be used.
-Contact eczema may develop in the procedure area against the material from which the piercing is produced or the antiseptics used. In this case, redness, itching, edema, and oozing are seen within the first 3 days. In its treatment, besides cortisone creams, the piercing must also be removed.
-A raised, hard mass called a KELOID forms on the skin in the area where the procedure was performed. If it has not been encountered before, it is an unavoidable situation. The reason is that the person produces more collagen than normal after skin damage, resulting in excessive tissue growth. Its treatment is quite difficult and in some cases, even surgical treatment is required.