When good piercings go bad

			Here you will find some images as to problems that can arise from your piercing.
	Problems

Allergies

Photographs of allergic reactions associated with piercing.


	This navel shows a rash caused by the constant use of undiluted liquid soap on a piercing. Too much cleaning can be just as harmful as not cleaning enough.

Granulation

Granulation Tissue, Polyps and Keloids.


	At the superior hole of this navel piercing there is a bead of hypertrophic scar tissue. This is a common complication of all piercings. It is usually a consequence of infection and/or trauma.

	At the bottom hole of this navel piercing there is a bead of hypertrophic scar tissue. This is a common complication of all piercings. It is usually a consequence of infection and/or trauma.



	A further example of excessive scar tissue in a navel piercing.



	Typical example of hypertrophic scarring. Often called polyps. This is not a keloid, which is more pale in colour and softer too touch

Technique Problems

Photographs of problems associated with poor piercing techniques.



This shows a swollen infected tragus pierced using a piercing gun. The manufacturers of the gun explicitly forbid the use of the ear gun outside the helix and lobe.


An inappropriately small 16gauge 10mm eyebrow barbell was inserted into this female nipple by an inexperienced piercer. The patient presented in pain with one ball completely disappearing into the nipple. A longer 14g barbell solved the problem.

Tongue Problems

Photographs of problems associated with tongue piercing.


	The large acrylic ball constantly pressing on the lower jaw has loosened the tooth sockets of the front right incisor. Note the gum receding at the lower incisors.

	Pressure from the large acrylic ball in the previous image caused resorption of the bone of the tooth socket for the central incisors. On the Xray the black area around the tooth root is where the bone has been lost. To help prevent this. Use a small acrylic ball on the bottom of the barbell.

	On the anterior aspect of this tongue piercing is a lip of tissue. This is a common occurrence in new piercings and usually spontaneously disappears.

	On the floor of the mouth a white ulcer is seen atop a swollen red area. This was caused by pressure from the ball of barbell that was too long. The problem resolved with a shorter barbell.


	This barbell ball is half buried as a result of being too short.



	One week after piercing with the top ball completely buried. Result of way too short barbell.

Photographs and descriptions are property of http://www.body-piercing.com.au