TeenHealthFX - Answers - Considering Nipple Piercing

Piercings And Tattoos / Question
Published: June 11, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I am a senior girl in high school and I am considering getting my nipple pierced. I was wondering what exactly are, if any, the complications/side effects, anything like that. I would appreciate your help with this. Thanks.

Signed: Considering Nipple Piercing

Dear Considering Nipple Piercing,

Getting a piercing is a big decision because it is a somewhat semi-permanent decision to change the look of your body. FX uses the word semi-permanent, because while the jewelry can be removed if you ever change your mind about your piercing, it is possible for their to be permanent scars or loss of sensation in the area that was pierced. So FX is glad to see that you are doing your research on this and really thinking it through first.

If you are considering putting a hole through any part of your body, you are smart to ask what could happen. Potentially deadly viruses, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and hepatitis B (which causes serious liver disease), can enter your bloodstream if a piercer doesn?t use sterile needles. A tetanus infection (causing severe muscle spasms) can be a risk if someone has not been vaccinated against tetanus. Common bacterial skin infections that can become deep wound infections may result if the piercing is not cared for properly. Unfortunately it is hard to understand why some people are more prone to infection than others. Rarely, wound infections can result in blood infections, which can then become fatal.

Recently, 3 cases of meningitis (swelling around the brain) have been reported in medical journals. Another article reported a piercing which led to a near fatal bone infection. This can happen quite easily with eyebrow piercing since the bone behind the eyebrow is very thin. Mouth, lip and tongue piercings can lead to prolonged bleeding, speech impediments, and permanent numbness. Even loss of taste has been known to occur. It is also fair to mention that there is a risk of choking or breaking a tooth on a stud when it comes to mouth piercing.

If you change your mind and take the jewelry out of your nipple you could be left with considerable scarring and loss of sensation. This is a good reason to be absolutely sure this is what you want before you decide to go ahead.

If you do decide forward with the idea, find a list of studios that follow health guidelines put out by the Association of Professional Piercers (check their website- www.safepiercing.com). Know that at any studio, you have the right to ask to see your piercer use an autoclave, which sterilizes needles between uses, or to see him or her take new, disposable needles and gloves from sealed, sterilized packages. If a studio will not let you do this, simply walk out.

Also, you should discuss getting any piercing with your parents or an adult. They can help you in figuring out if this is a positive decision for you.

Signed: TeenHealthFX