Risks Associated with Body Piercing

        Body piercing, a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewellery may be worn.

       The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice.


Before you have your body pierced
If you choose to have a body piercing, get advice from people who have used a reputable, licensed body-piercing shop or piercer before. Ask them how much information they were given about looking after their piercing and taking jewelery out safely. Check that the staff were helpful and professional, the premises were clean and the equipment was properly sterilized.

Body Piercings and Surgery

Checklist:

A few days before having your piercing, visit the shop to check for any potential health risks. Make sure that you can answer yes to the following questions before going ahead:

• Do they use a clean pair of disposable surgical gloves for each customer?
• Do they wash their hands regularly and use disposable paper towels to dry them?
• Is the shop clean, with wipe-clean surfaces throughout (including the floor)?
• Do they use single-use needles and discard them after each piercing?
• Are instruments kept in sealed packaging ready for use, or in an autoclave (steriliser) until needed?
• Have the earrings been pre-sterilised?
• If the piercer is piercing just one ear, will they take the earring from an unopened, presterilised pack of two (rather than using a loose earring left over from a previous piercing)?
• Do they ask the customer if they have a medical condition such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis?
• Is the piercer wearing clean, practical clothing, with long hair tied back?
• Have they covered any cuts or wounds on their hands with waterproof dressings?
• Is the jewellery used appropriate for the type of piercing?
• Is it made of non-nickel metal?
• Does the piercer have a clear policy regarding age restrictions and parental consent? (See box, left.)
• Is the piercing area a no-smoking zone?
• Are animals kept well away from the piercing area?

!! If you are taking medication, have heart disease or any other medical condition and are in doubt, talk to your doctor about the risks before getting a piercing.

! Like a surgical operation, body piercing is an invasive procedure. It carries with it the same risks and healing periods.

General risks

• Bacterial infection

Bacterial infection is the main risk associated with body piercing. Sometimes an abscess (accumulation of pus) forms around the piercing site, which can develop into septicemia (blood poisoning) or toxic shock syndrome if left untreated. This can be very serious and even fatal. Tongue piercings carry a higher risk of bacterial infection because of the high number of bacteria already present inside the mouth.

• Transmittable diseases

All professional body piercers use sterile instruments, so it is rare to catch conditions such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS through body piercing.
However, if you are somewhere where hygiene standards are poorer, you are at risk of infection from hepatitis (B or C) or HIV, which can be caught from dirty needles. Hepatitis is known for its resilience and some strains can live for several months on dirty instruments in normal room temperatures.

• Other risks

Other general risks that come with body piercing are:

• Bleeding and blood loss, especially in areas of the body with a lot of blood vessels such as the tongue.
• Swelling of the skin around the piercing.
• Scarring and the formation of keloid (a type of oversized scar). Tell your body piercer if you know that your skin has a tendency to form keloid scars. See Useful links for more information. 
• Endocarditis (inflammation of heart valves), which is very serious and more common in people with existing heart valve problems.

Specific risks

Any piercing that interferes with normal function of the body carries a higher risk. Specific piercings each present their own risks. For example:

• Oral (tongue) piercings can cause speech impediments and chipped teeth, if the jewellery wears away tooth enamel. There is also a higher risk of bleeding, and the risk that your airways will become blocked.
• Genital piercings can obstruct the functions of the genitals, making sex and urination difficult and painful. This is particularly common with piercings on and around the penis.
• Earlobe piercings are generally safe. A deformed ear is a rare but possible complication.
• Ear cartilage piercings (at the top of the ear) are riskier than ear lobe piercings. If the site becomes infected, the complications are much more serious. The main risk is a painful abscess, following a bacterial infection. It happens because the skin is very close to the underlying cartilage and pus can become trapped. Antibiotics are not successful in treating this problem and surgery is usally required to remove the affected cartilage.
• Nose piercings are riskier than earlobe piercings as the inner surface of the nose (which cannot be disinfected) holds bacteria that can cause infection.  

Preventing and treating infection 

If your body has been professionally pierced following the correct procedures , no specific aftercare is necessary.

• Cleaning the piercing site with saline solution increases your risk of infection.

• You will need to keep the piercing dry for three days after the procedure. If you have an ear or facial piercing, having baths rather than showers will help you to keep the piercing dry. Lower body piercings are harder to keep dry, so it may be best to sponge-clean your body for the first three days.

• Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap before touching or washing your piercing.

• Ensure that any clothing and bedding that may come into contact with the area around the piercing is clean.

If you get an infection

-If your piercing becomes infected, the surrounding skin may be red and swollen. It will probably hurt when you touch it and may produce a yellow discharge.
-If you have a fever or any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately. A delay in treatment can result in a serious infection. -Leave your jewelery in unless your doctor tells you to take it out. This will ensure proper drainage and prevent an abscess from forming.
-In many cases, the infection can be treated without losing the piercing. Minor infections may be treated with antibiotic cream, and a more serious infection may need antibiotic tablets. Your doctor will be able to give you advice about which treatment is best for you.



Sources:
 http://tv.ku.edu/news/2006/10/26/tongue-piercing-poses-problems/
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=114994
 Body-piercing-problems-topic-overview   http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/body-piercing-problems-topic-overview
All About Genital Piercing http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52117

East Side Medicine http://www.eastsidemedicine.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.content&type=aafpsc&destination=/online/famdocen/home/articles/881.membersite.html&print=1

Cold and Flu Guide - Natural Remedies

                         Cold and Flu

    Follow this chart for information about how to treat the symptoms of a cold or the flu and how to know when to see a doctor. Other illnesses may also cause flu- or cold-like symptoms. Self-care is often all that is needed to treat common viral illnesses.

SYMPTOMS		DIAGNOSIS		SELF-CARE
1. Do you have a fever?		Go to Question 6.*
2. Do you have a sore throat and headache--without nasal drainage?		You may have STREP THROAT, a bacterial infection.		See your doctor if the sore throat or fever lasts longer than 48 hours. He or she can do a test to find out if you have strep throat. If you do, your doctor may give you an antibiotic to treat it. You should also get plenty of rest, and drink lots of water. Gargling with warm salt water may help relieve a sore throat.
3. Did your symptoms start suddenly, and do you have a combination of symptoms including muscle aches, chills, a sore throat, runny nose or cough?		You may have the FLU.		Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may relieve some of your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest a prescription medicine that may shorten the course of the flu. Prevent the flu by getting a flu shot each fall.
4. Do you have a persistent cough that brings up yellowish or greenish mucus, wheezing and shortness of breath.		You may be developing ACUTE BRONCHITIS, an infection of the airways.		Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you smoke, cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke, or stop smoking. Use an over-the-counter medicine for pain and fever, and an expectorant to ease the coughing. A humidifier may also relieve some symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
5. Do you have a headache or muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, and watery diarrhea?		You may have GASTROENTERITIS (also called the stomach flu).		Get plenty of rest. Children who have gastroenteritis should be given an oral rehydration solution to avoid dehydration. Ease back into eating with bland foods and clear liquids.
*6. Do you have a runny and/or itchy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes?		You may have ALLERGIES.		Try an over-the-counter antihistamine medicine. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
7. Do you have sneezing, a sore throat, headache, congestion and a runny nose?		You probably have a COLD.		Try an over-the-counter cold medicine to treat the specific symptoms you are having. Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluid.
8. Do you have swelling or pain around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, a headache, a dry cough, and/or discharge from the nose?		You may be developing SINUSITIS.		See your doctor. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and/or warm compresses may help reduce facial pain. A cool mist vaporizer may help your sinuses drain more easily. Drink plenty of fluids.
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call right away.				WARNING: Due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, don't give aspirin to children without your doctor's approval.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996
Natural Remedies

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C has been studied for many years as a possible treatment for colds, or as a way to prevent colds. But findings have been somewhat inconsistent. Overall, experts have found little to no benefit for vitamin C preventing or treating the common cold.

In a July 2007 study, researchers wanted to discover whether taking 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C daily could reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of a cold. After reviewing 60 years of clinical research, they found that when taken after a cold starts, vitamin C supplements do not make a cold shorter or less severe. When taken daily, vitamin C very slightly shorted cold duration -- by 8% in adults and by 14% in children.
But researchers found the most effect on people who were in extreme conditions, such as marathon runners. In this group, taking vitamin C cut their risk of catching a cold in half.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that can boost immune system activity. But it’s unclear whether this boost helps fight off colds or flu. Some researchers have reported no benefits, but at least one recent study paints a more positive picture. Participants who took echinacea shortened their colds by an average of 1.4 days. Still, experts remain skeptical, and it’s best to check with a doctor before trying this or other herbal remedies.

• One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever), found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm)

Zinc  

 

•    Zinc lozenge have long been believed to prevent colds and the flu as well as to significantly speed up the recovery period for colds and flu sufferers. The scientific evidence, however, has been mixed. Some studies found that zinc lozenges are indeed helpful while other studies found that they do not make much of a difference.

      One of the more recent studies ,patients with cold symptoms were given either a zinc lozenge containing 12.8 mg of zinc acetate or a placebo. They were then asked to rate the severity of various symptoms, such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever, headache, etc. The study found:

• Patients who took the zinc lozenges reported symptoms for an average of 4.5 days, while those who took the placebo reported symptoms for about 8 days

• Runny nose and cough appeared to respond best to the zinc supplement. Patients who took the zinc supplement coughed for an average of 3 days, compared with six days for those who took the placebo.( http://www.flu-treatments.com/zinc-facts.html )

Chicken Soup

•   Grandma was onto something. Chicken soup may help cold symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And some advocates say the soup may soothe inflammation. Researchers have found chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties in the lab, though it’s unclear whether this effect translates to real-world colds.

Hot Tea

• Drinking hot tea offers some of the same benefits as chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves congestion, while swallowing the fluid soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Black and green teas have the added bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants.

 

Hot Toddy

• The hot toddy is an age-old nighttime cold remedy. Since you won’t want to drink black tea before bed, make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add a teaspoon of honey, a small shot of whiskey or bourbon, and a squeeze of lemon. This mixture may ease congestion, soothe the throat and help you sleep. Limit yourself to one hot toddy. Too much alcohol can affect the immune system.

Garlic

Garlic is sometimes said to help treat the symptoms of colds and flu, however it is best seen as a preventative. The use of garlic against colds and flu seems to be most effective when taken before the infection is caught, or immediately the symptoms begin to show.
Scientific research has shown that people taking garlic can suffer less from colds than a control group. There is also plentiful anecdotal evidence that taking large amounts of garlic at the onset of a cold can reduce the time taken to recover. As always, discuss any treatment with your doctor - garlic can interfere with the working of certain medical drugs.

Steam/Humidifier

• For a heavy dose of steam, use a room humidifier – or simply sit in the bathroom with the door shut and a hot shower running. Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal passages, offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.

Saline Drops

• Dripping saltwater into the nose can remove virus and bacteria particles, while reducing congestion. Try over-the-counter saline drops, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Use a bulb syringe to squirt the mixture into one nostril while holding the other one closed. Repeat 2-3 times and then do the other side.

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

It’s no wonder natural cold and flu remedies are popular – modern medicine has yet to offer a cure for these age-old ailments. While some antiviral drugs can prevent and shorten the flu’s duration, most medications only offer temporary relief of symptoms. Many natural remedies provide temporary relief as well, and a few may actually help you get better. See which cold and flu remedies show the most promise.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that can boost immune system activity. But it’s unclear whether this boost helps fight off colds or flu. Some researchers have reported no benefits, but at least one recent study paints a more positive picture. Participants who took echinacea shortened their colds by an average of 1.4 days. Still, experts remain skeptical, and it’s best to check with a doctor before trying this or other herbal remedies.

Zinc

Some studies show that Zinc appears to have antiviral properties. There is some evidence the mineral may prevent the formation of certain proteins that cold viruses use to reproduce themselves. While zinc does not appear to help prevent colds, some research suggests it may help shorten cold symptom duration. The FDA recommends against using zinc nasal products for colds because of reports of permanent loss of smell.  

Vitamin C

The cold-fighting prowess of vitamin C remains uncertain. While vitamin C doesn't seem to prevent colds, some studies suggest it can help shorten the duration of the common cold slightly. In one large study, people recovered from colds more quickly after taking a megadose (8,000 milligrams) on the first day of the cold. But taking more than 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day may cause kidney stones and diarrhea.

Chicken Soup

Grandma was onto something. Chicken soup may help cold symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And some advocates say the soup may soothe inflammation. Researchers have found chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties in the lab, though it’s unclear whether this effect translates to real-world colds.

Hot Tea

Drinking hot tea offers some of the same benefits as chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves congestion, while swallowing the fluid soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Black and green teas have the added bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants.

Hot Toddy

The hot toddy is an age-old nighttime cold remedy. Since you won’t want to drink black tea before bed, make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add a teaspoon of honey, a small shot of whiskey or bourbon, and a squeeze of lemon. This mixture may ease congestion, soothe the throat and help you sleep. Limit yourself to one hot toddy. Too much alcohol can affect the immune system.

Garlic

Garlic has long been touted for legendary germ-fighting abilities. While there is not enough research to recommend it as a cold remedy, garlic is very nutritious. In addition, it can help spice up your meals when a stuffy nose makes everything taste bland.

Steam/Humidifier

For a heavy dose of steam, use a room humidifier – or simply sit in the bathroom with the door shut and a hot shower running. Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal passages, offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.

Saline Drops

Dripping saltwater into the nose can remove virus and bacteria particles, while reducing congestion. Try over-the-counter saline drops, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Use a bulb syringe to squirt the mixture into one nostril while holding the other one closed. Repeat 2-3 times and then do the other side.

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

It’s no wonder natural cold and flu remedies are popular – modern medicine has yet to offer a cure for these age-old ailments. While some antiviral drugs can prevent and shorten the flu’s duration, most medications only offer temporary relief of symptoms. Many natural remedies provide temporary relief as well, and a few may actually help you get better. See which cold and flu remedies show the most promise.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that can boost immune system activity. But it’s unclear whether this boost helps fight off colds or flu. Some researchers have reported no benefits, but at least one recent study paints a more positive picture. Participants who took echinacea shortened their colds by an average of 1.4 days. Still, experts remain skeptical, and it’s best to check with a doctor before trying this or other herbal remedies.

Zinc

Some studies show that Zinc appears to have antiviral properties. There is some evidence the mineral may prevent the formation of certain proteins that cold viruses use to reproduce themselves. While zinc does not appear to help prevent colds, some research suggests it may help shorten cold symptom duration. The FDA recommends against using zinc nasal products for colds because of reports of permanent loss of smell.  

Vitamin C

The cold-fighting prowess of vitamin C remains uncertain. While vitamin C doesn't seem to prevent colds, some studies suggest it can help shorten the duration of the common cold slightly. In one large study, people recovered from colds more quickly after taking a megadose (8,000 milligrams) on the first day of the cold. But taking more than 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day may cause kidney stones and diarrhea.

Chicken Soup

Grandma was onto something. Chicken soup may help cold symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And some advocates say the soup may soothe inflammation. Researchers have found chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties in the lab, though it’s unclear whether this effect translates to real-world colds.

Hot Tea

Drinking hot tea offers some of the same benefits as chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves congestion, while swallowing the fluid soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Black and green teas have the added bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants.

Hot Toddy

The hot toddy is an age-old nighttime cold remedy. Since you won’t want to drink black tea before bed, make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add a teaspoon of honey, a small shot of whiskey or bourbon, and a squeeze of lemon. This mixture may ease congestion, soothe the throat and help you sleep. Limit yourself to one hot toddy. Too much alcohol can affect the immune system.

Garlic

Garlic has long been touted for legendary germ-fighting abilities. While there is not enough research to recommend it as a cold remedy, garlic is very nutritious. In addition, it can help spice up your meals when a stuffy nose makes everything taste bland.

Steam/Humidifier

For a heavy dose of steam, use a room humidifier – or simply sit in the bathroom with the door shut and a hot shower running. Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal passages, offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.

Saline Drops

Dripping saltwater into the nose can remove virus and bacteria particles, while reducing congestion. Try over-the-counter saline drops, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Use a bulb syringe to squirt the mixture into one nostril while holding the other one closed. Repeat 2-3 times and then do the other side.

Neti Pot

•       For a more systematic nasal rinse, the neti pot is an option. This small ceramic pot is used to flush out the nasal passages with a saltwater solution – a process known as nasal irrigation. The result is thinner mucus that drains more easily. Research suggests neti pots are useful in relieving sinus symptoms, such as congestion, pressure, and facial pain, particularly in patients with chronic sinus troubles.

Menthol Ointment

• Days of wiping and blowing your nose can leave the skin around your nostrils sore and irritated. A simple remedy is to dab a menthol-infused ointment under, but not in, the nose. Menthol has mild numbing agents that can relieve the pain of raw skin. As an added benefit, breathing in the medicated vapors that contain menthol or camphor can help open clogged passages and relieve cough due to colds. Use only in children over 3 years of age.

Saltwater Gargle

• For a sore throat, the traditional saltwater gargle has merit. Gargling warm water with a teaspoon of salt four times daily can help keep a scratchy throat moist.

Let Your Fever Work

• A fever is the original natural remedy. The rise in temperature actively fights colds and flu by making your body inhospitable for germs. Endure a moderate fever for a couple of days to get better faster. Just be sure to stay well hydrated. Call your doctor right away if the fever is over 105, unless it comes down quickly with treatment. In infants 3 months or younger call your doctor for any fever greater than 100.4.  Children with a fever of less than 102 usually don’t require treatment unless they’re uncomfortable.

Rest in Bed

• With our busy lives, most of us loathe to spend a day or two under the covers. But getting plenty of rest lets your body direct more energy to fighting off germs. Staying warm is also important, so tuck yourself in and give your immune cells a leg up in their noble battle.

 

 Source:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/flu-sars/
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/517.html
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/slideshow-cold-or-flu