Artistic, Risks Of Infection, Allergic Reactions, Scarring And Urine Leakage – Body Piercings
Throughout history, body piercing has been a symbol of beauty, sexuality, ritual initiation and rites of passage.
Mayan royalty had their tongues and genitals pierced; during the Victorian era, many women pierced their nipples. After World War II, tongue, nipple and genital piercings occurred in Germany. Today, body piercing remains common in tribal societies throughout Africa, Asia and South America.
In the U.S., piercing became mainstream during the 1990s and is perhaps more popular than ever.
I am a physician specializing in dermatology. My colleagues and I have seen the medical complications that body piercing can cause. While people shouldn’t necessarily avoid piercings, they should be aware of the risks and best practices. It’s also critical to distinguish relatively safe ear pier...
