Section D · Page 2
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 21, 2000
"They need to really be certain that the piercing is something they want to do and realize that it probably has long-term consequences." Rock said.
He said the number of piercing problems treated at Watkins had risen with the increased popularity of body piercing.
Areas such as the tongue, nose and cartilage of the ear run the worst risk of infection. Rock said the safest thing students could do was not to get pierced at all.
"I am not aware of any medical reason to recommend piercing," Rock said. "It is purely a cosmetic procedure with risks, and those include infection and scarring. Depending on what area is pierced, it may also potentially impair normal bodily functions."
a tongue piercing, which is one of the more popular piercings, can lead to cracked teeth or other complications.
Rock said that nipple and genital piercings were especially dangerous and could cause problems with nursing children or sexual performance.
Ed Manda, Lawrence dentist, cautioned students about tongue piercing.
"If something is big enough and in the way, it can cause damage to the teeth," Manda said.
He said that tooth damage from tongue
all
o f
your pierc-
ings thoroughly-
ly," Kappauf said.
"I don't believe their concern is misplaced," Tuck said. "But at the same time, if you take care of your piercing, you won't run into those problems."
Tuck said that people encounter problems because they think piercings have healed and simply stop cleaning the area. He said that piercings could look fine within two to four weeks but that it actually took eight to 12 weeks for most piercings to heal.
"I had to grab on, find where the already-healed hole was, grab the jewelry, give her a three count, and push it on through,"
"It won't just heal on its own. You have to get in there. You have to clean it," Tuck said.
Sometimes, however, infections and other problems can occur if people go to inexperienced piercers or use the wrong jewelry. Tuck said he had seen several cases of people who had problems because of an unskilled piercer.
Tuck said. "It hurt. It hurt real bad."
He said a woman who had gotten her tongue pierced in Portugal by a street vendor had problems a week later. The vendor had pierced her tongue with jewelry that was too short. When her tongue began to swell, it engulfed the tongue stud.
Rock said students could do several things to avoid bad piercing experiences.
The piercing should be done at an established piercing business that has a clean, well-lighted studio. The piercer should be experienced, should take time to explain the risks of the piercing and should offer extensive instructions for care after the piercing
Tuck said that educating people about the care of their new piercings was one of the best ways to prevent an infection.
"Obviously you have to follow good rules of hygiene, wash your hands before you touch any of your piercings and cleanse
"A person who is not educated is going to run into more problems," he said. "They are just blissfully unaware about what can go wrong."
Most of the responsibility of having a positive piercing experience is on the shoulders of those who decide to get pierced.
Chuck Kappau, Dallas sophomore, has his navel, nipples and tongue pierced. He has never had any major problems with his piercings.
But, Kappauf attributed his successful piercing experience to his motivation.
"If you want a piercing enough, you'll know what the benefits and consequences of getting that piercing will be," he said. "I didn't do any of my piercings on a whim."
Chrissy Heikkila willingly endured a week-long infection so she could keep her tongue ring. She has no regrets about keeping the piercing.
"After the swelling and infections went away, it has been really fun." Heikkilä said. "I haven't had any problems with it since then. Basically, I just kept with it because I enjoined it so much."
Heikkila said that she would be willing to go through the entire experience again — oozing tongue and all.
"It it was gross and really scary, but nothing bad came of it," Heikkila said. "It it was definitely an experience."
Edited by Mindie Miller
Use a new toothbrush and bottled water to brush teeth and tongue each day during healing.
Drink plenty of cold liquids (water, fruit juice), washing out food particles and residues with bottled water after meals and snacks.
Do not use toothpaste, mouthwash, peroxides or other oral care products during healing, such products do not aid in healing and may irritate the piercing. Avoid oral contact with anything irritating: alcohol, smoke, spicy, sugary or highly acidic food and drinks.
■ When you have healed and sealed the piercing, change to a shorter post to ensure a good fit that will reduce wear on teeth and gums. (Usually less than 14 days later.)
Source: www.piercing.org
What Douglas County Bank Can Do For You:
Visit Our Main Bank At:
300 West 9th Street
865-1000
1402 Church Eudora
South Iowa 3101 Iowa 865-7610
www.douglascountybank.com
Your Hometown Bank
Brandon Woods 1501 Inverness 865-1022
Malls Bank
711 West 23rd St.
865-1069
Orchards Bank 1444 Kasold Dr. 865-1017
4