| Piercing is one of the most prevalent form of | | | | Tongue swelling and bleeding |
| body art and self-expression. But body | | | | |
| piercing should not be a frivolous, | | | | In response to the trauma of a piercing, a |
| spur-of-the-moment act. Why? It's a surgical | | | | tongue will swell - sometimes to the size of |
| procedure that is frequently carried out in | | | | a large pickle. This poses the risk of airway |
| beauty salons or tattoo/piercing parlors that | | | | blockage, which can result in death. The |
| are completely unregulated. Worse yet, body | | | | major vessels of the lingual artery and vein |
| parts are also pierced at concerts and in | | | | are located in the tongue and, if pierced, |
| people's garages, basements and bathrooms. | | | | will bleed profusely. If a piercing wound |
| | | | bleeds excessively (i.e., for more than an |
| Currently, there are no certification or | | | | hour after the piercing), see your physician |
| training standards for body piercers. Anyone | | | | immediately. |
| can grab a needle (which may be contaminated | | | | |
| with AIDS or Hepatitis B, C, D or G) and | | | | Other non-life threatening problem are: |
| puncture someone else's body. Oral piercing, | | | | |
| in particular, poses some serious risks | | | | Pain - The diameter of the to 14-gauge needle |
| because of the high number of bacteria | | | | usually used to pierce tongues is seven times |
| normally found in the mouth. It's a procedure | | | | greater than the needle used in traditional |
| that should not be taken lightly. | | | | dental anesthesia. |
| | | | |
| Tongue piercing can lead to serious | | | | Cracked teeth - Frequently, people with |
| infection, lost teeth, nerve injuries, blood | | | | pierced tongues accidentally bite down on the |
| poisoning - even death. The most serious | | | | stud while chewing, chipping or cracking a |
| risks include: | | | | tooth. |
| | | | |
| Infections | | | | Speech interference - The tongue plays a |
| | | | large role in your speech, and some people |
| According to the Hepatitis C Foundation, body | | | | complain that they can't speak clearly after |
| piercing has contributed significantly to the | | | | getting their tongues pierced. |
| spread of Hepatitis C (also known as HCV), a | | | | |
| disease that public health officials predict | | | | Traumatic neuromas - altered sensation can |
| will kill more people than AIDS in the next | | | | develop, which produce nerve injuries in the |
| millennium. The National Institutes of Health | | | | tongue. |
| has identified piercing as a potential source | | | | |
| for other bloodborne hepatitis (B, D and G). | | | | Some individuals experience allergic |
| The deadly AIDS virus can also be transmitted | | | | reactions to the jewelry, particularly if it |
| during body piercing, if the piercer uses a | | | | is not made of surgical steel, gold or |
| contaminated needle. | | | | titanium. |
| | | | |
| Toxic Shock | | | | Gum damage - The jewelry can rub against the |
| | | | gums and cause them to recede, or pull back |
| A serious form of blood poisoning, commonly | | | | from the teeth. This can lead to gum disease |
| known as toxic shock syndrome, can enter the | | | | and eventual tooth loss. |
| body through the piercing wound and spread | | | | |
| throughout the body. Symptoms of TSS include | | | | Keloid formation - Large growths of scar |
| high fever, muscle aches, vomiting and | | | | tissue protrude from the piercing on both the |
| diarrhea, dizziness, a rapid pulse and a | | | | top and the underside of the tongue. |
| sunburn-like rash. TSS is potentially fatal, | | | | |
| so if you notice any of these symptoms, it's | | | | Prolonged or permanent drooling - In some |
| important to be evaluated by a healthcare | | | | individuals, their bodies naturally respond |
| professional immediately. | | | | to the invasiveness of the tongue piercing by |
| | | | increased salivation. This response cannot be |
| Lung aspiration of the jewelry | | | | consciously controlled. |
| | | | |
| The barbell placed in a pierced tongue can | | | | Damaged sense of taste - The American Dental |
| come off. If the post (the needle-like | | | | Association stands firmly against the |
| portion of the jewelry that goes through the | | | | practice of oral piercing. The National |
| tongue) is swallowed, it can obstruct the | | | | Institute of Health and The National |
| airway and aspirate into the lung, or | | | | Hepatitis Foundation have also taken a |
| perforating the bowel or the intestine, | | | | position against tongue piercing. Many |
| causing death. | | | | dentists recommend that you think twice |
| | | | before undergoing the procedure. |