Health Tips

It’s important that you get any piercing done by a professional with a good reputation, preferably someone who has been recommended to you. Sterilized equipment and clean premises are extremely important to avoid transmission of a number of serious & life-threatening diseases.

Piercing is a simple procedure. A needle punctures the skin, then the bar or ring is put through the opening made by it. The piercing can be through the foreskin, the skin on the shaft of the penis, the scrotum and the head of the penis. It must not pierce straight through the shaft of the penis as this could cause serious damage.

It can take 5 – 6 weeks for a piercing to heal. During this time do not remove the piercing while the wound is healing. Keep the wound clean. A rash on the area surrounding the piercing may mean that you are allergic to the metal type. Surgical grade steel, titanium, gold or platinum are usually non-reactive.

Urinary infections sometimes occur. Signs and symptoms are burning sensation when you urinate and occasionally, blood in the urine. Redness and soreness at the site of the piercing is common when you first get it done. Any bleeding should only a small amount at the time of the piercing and should stop when a little pressure is applied. Any significant amounts of blood loss should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

HIV and Hepatitis B and C are blood borne diseases that can be caught from unsterilized needles. The Hepatitis B and C viruses can live outside the body for a significant period of time and both diseases can make you, not only very sick but can be life threatening. Hep B and C are much more easily transmitted than HIV. If you are diabetic you have a higher risk of infection so see your doctor first.

People from certain ethnic groups, Hispanics, Africans and Asian are more susceptible to keloid scarring for all types of body piercing and tattoos.