Piercings: everything you need to know before piercing your body

A piercing is a perforation that is made in some part of the body with a needle. A piece of jewelry is then inserted into that hole.

Piercings are very common, especially among adolescents and young adults, since they almost never require anesthesia, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The most frequently pierced body parts are the ears, nostrils, and navel. But there are also other types of piercings, such as oral piercings, which are usually done on the lips, cheeks and tongue.

When the hole of a piercing has already healed, there are people who widen it to wear certain types of jewelry, such as rings, for example. This widening should be done in gradual increments, as this reduces the chance of damaging the hole and scarring.

In addition, there are other precautions that must be taken into account when getting a piercing, since safety during the piercing and the care it requires are very important factors that will allow proper healing and avoid the risk of contracting infections.

What should you take into account before getting a piercing?

First of all, before you get your body pierced, you should think carefully about whether you want to do it. If you are really convinced, you should think about the location of the piercing.

Piercings: todo lo que debes saber antes de perforar tu cuerpo

If, on the other hand, you are not sure about doing it or if you are worried that one day you may regret it, it is recommended that you wait a while to be convinced, do not pressure yourself or allow anyone to pressure you to do it.

A tip that can help is to talk to friends who already have a piercing so they can give suggestions and comment if they have regretted it. It is also advisable not to get a piercing under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Once you've decided, it's time to ask yourself a series of questions to get the piercing done safely, according to the Mayo Clinic:

Risks of piercings

Any type of piercing carries a risk of complications, such as allergic reactions, oral complications, skin infections, blood-borne diseases, or even a tear or trauma.

There are times when people need medication or other treatments to combat an allergic reaction, infection, or other skin problem that caused the piercing.

In order to prevent this from happening, you must make sure to carefully treat the piercing area and apply the necessary care.

You should know that the skin around a piercing may be swollen, red, and tender for a few days. In addition, it may also bleed a little. Therefore, to avoid infection and facilitate healing, you must follow the following steps, according to experts from the Mayo Clinic:

This information does not replace in any case the diagnosis or prescription by a doctor. It is important to go to a specialist when symptoms appear in case of illness and never self-medicate. Read also

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