People decide to pierce a body part because they like how it looks, they want a new experience, they want to make a unique statement or because friends tell them it's fun. Non Piercing jewelry is now available for those who like the look, but are wary of possible problems.

Body piercings take time to heal, even with diligent care. Depending on the site of the piercing, expected times for normal healing may vary and special care is required. Here are a few things that are important to know, even before you decide to have body piercing:

• Body piercing should be done ONLY with a new, sterile needle, rather than a piercing gun, to reduce risk of exposure to the HIV/AIDS virus and Hepatitis B virus, both bloodborne pathogens. Piercing guns cannot be sterilized completely. Jewelry used should be made from surgical-implant-grade stainless steel, 14- or 18-karat solid gold, niobium or titanium to reduce the risk of infection or allergic reaction.

• All piercings require special care, and some require more care than others. For example, a piercing through the upper rim (helix) of the ear goes through cartilage and takes an average of 2-12 months to heal. It must be cleaned 2-3 times daily during that time. Tongue piercings should be cleansed at least a dozen times per day with antiseptic mouthwash for 6-8 weeks. Navel piercings, which may not completely heal for 2 years, should be cleaned twice daily for at least 9 months and daily in the shower thereafter.

The piercing salon may sell an ear care antiseptic for you to use for cleansing. The active ingredient is usually benzalkonium chloride, which is the same active ingredient in Bactine or Zephiran. Harsh full-strength solutions, whether hydrogen peroxide or Bactine not only kill germs but can also destroy new healing tissue, so be sure that you dilute the cleansing solution with 3 parts water to 1 part antiseptic solution. Alcohol is usually not recommended for cleansing new piercings because it is too harsh and can destroy new healing tissue.

CAUTION: DO NOT USE THE ANTISEPTIC, HIBICLENS FOR CLEANING ANY PIERCINGS ABOVE THE SHOULDERS. IT MAY CAUSE DEAFNESS OR BLINDNESS.

PREVENTION OF INFECTION

There are several precautions you can take to prevent infection of the pierced area and encourage healing.

• Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching the pierced area or earring to keep bacteria from your hands away from the piercing site. Keeping the pierced area clean is the most important way to prevent infection.
• Cleanse the piercing site with appropriate solution as frequently as recommended for that particular site, and for the full length of time recommended for healing.
• Keep pierced area free of chemicals such as perfume, hair spray or hair gel. After showering, rinse the pierced area with clear water to remove soap or shampoo residue.
• Do not hold a public telephone against a newly pierced ear. Clean your telephone frequently with a disinfectant.
• Be sure your pillowcase is clean and changed frequently.
• A gauze pad or cotton swab can be used to clean crusts from around the jewelry. Use a new swab for each piercing site. Jewelry should be rotated once or twice while applying solution during each cleaning.
• * Earrings should not be removed or changed for at least a month, and should be worn continually for the first 4 to 6 months.

• If signs of infection (increased redness, discharge - including pus, continuous oozing or bleeding, heat or red streaks originating from the pierced area, pain or swelling that seems to be increasing or wonÍt go away) occur in a piercing that is through cartilage or nasal tissue, seek medical treatment immediately. An infection of a piercing in cartilage may form a permanent swollen lump (keloid) on the ear.
• Mild infections of the ear lobe (soft tissue) may be treated with proper cleansing and the local use of antibiotic ointment daily for one to two weeks. Jewelry should be left in to allow drainage of pus. If no improvement, medical evaluation and treatment is recommended; if serious infection exists, jewelry may need to be removed.

Sources: Carol J. Mulvihill, RN-C, BSN and Carla Peterman, Student Health Service of the U. Pittsburgh at Bradford, May 1997, and from ERT Associates

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