One in four body piercings goes wrong

For many young people, piercings of all parts of the body, hung with jewellery, have become an essential fashion accessory. But they carry significant risks, according to the first study to examine the complications arising from body art.

One in 10 adults in England has had a piercing somewhere other than the ear lobe of whom more than a quarter (28 per cent) experienced complications and one in 100 was admitted to hospital.

The survey of 10,000 people over 16 in England found more than 1,000 had a piercing, which was three times more common in women than men. Navel piercings were most common among women, with nipple piercings most common among men.

Piercings were most common in the youngest age group, those aged 16 to 24, who were also most likely to suffer complications. Swelling, infection and bleeding were frequent side effects with tongue piercings the most risky.

Serious complications resulting in hospital admission mostly occurred with piercings performed by non-specialists rather than with those carried out in a tattoo parlour or a specialist piercing shop.

The study was carried out by public health specialists from the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is published in the British Medical Journal. The authors warn that the growth in the popularity of piercings, with the associated complications, "could place a significant burden on health services for many years".

Fortune Ncube of the Health Protection Agency, one of the researchers, said: "This is the first study to look at the prevalence and complications of what has become a popular piece of body art. It is vital that anyone considering a piercing ensures that they go to a reputable piercer to reduce the possibility of having problems. Your piercer should tell you how to look after the piercing afterwards and this is important to reduce the likelihood of infections."

He added: "If piercing remains fashionable, almost half of the female population might eventually have a piercing somewhere other than their earlobes. If this trend continues, to avoid complications and the burden on the health service that these could bring, it is vital to continue raising awareness among piercers, their clients and health professionals about the importance of good hygiene and public safety."

Piercing carries a theoretical risk of infection with hepatitis B and C and HIV from the use of contaminated instruments, the researchers warn. Although no reported cases have been seen in the UK, they have occurred in other countries and remain a cause for concern.

The growing popularity of lip and tongue piercings – the most risky – in the youngest age group suggests that "people may be becoming more adventurous", the researchers say. Half of tongue piercings resulted in complications – usually swelling – and a quarter led to professional help being sought.

A study conducted in 2004 found 62 of 64 dentists in Lancashire had treated patients with lip or tongue piercings in the previous 12 months. Another study found that 95 per cent of GPs in Bury and Rochdale had seen a patient with piercing-related problem.