tuesday,october 28,2003 news the university daily kansan 5A Pierced students risk infections Regular cleaning quality of piercer can reduce odds Sophomores Leslie Vencasovic, St. Louis, and Sam Hendricks, Lenexa, displayed their piercings. To remain clear from infection, piercings need constant cleaning and care. Kit Leffler/Kansan By Danielle Hillix dhillix@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Body piercing is common among college students. All too often, so is bleeding, tissue trauma and infections — all possible side effects of the popular form of body art. The Mayo Clinic recently released a study in 2002 in which it found that 51 percent of college students had body piercings. Of the pierced students, nearly 20 percent reported medical complications with their piercings. Myra Strother, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that she had to remove the jewelry from a lot of infected piercings for students. "Those piercings just get infected so easily if they're not taken care of," she said. Taking care of piercings and getting them done at the right place are keys to avoiding infection, Strother said: If they are done and cleansed properly, students should have no problems with their piercings. Jen Porter has not had any major problems with her piercings. The Shawnee sophomore, who has six piercings as well as 6-gauge, or four millimeters in diameter, spacers in her earlobes, said that she was careful when where to get her piercings done. "You really have to check out the place you're going to," she said. "I'm always really careful." said. Firstly, trying to Shane Hart, owner of Shane Hart's Studio of Tattooing, 832 Iowa St., said he encouraged customers to check out his studio before they got pierced. Hart said customers should double-check a piercer's license and references before the needle touches the skin. After the piercing has been done, it is the customer's responsibility to properly cleanse the wound. Hart said. "A piercing is an open wound and you have to keep that in mind," Hart said. "People don't realize how careful you have to be." Hart said anything from swimming pools to dirty clothes to alcohol could cause infections. "And sexual activity causes a lot of problems," he said. To avoid problems, a piercing must be allowed to heal. Depending on the type of piercing, that can take anywhere from four weeks to 12 months. While a piercing is healing, it must be cleaned regularly with a non-alcohol astringent, available from piercists. Hydrogen peroxide should be avoided. The jewelry should be rotated several times during cleansing, to ensure that the cleansing agent coats all areas of the piercing. Strother said. In addition, the piercing should be soaked in warm water for five minutes to soften any dried secretions. Lilly Wright. Dallas sophomore, said she cleaned her nose piercing regularly and had avoided major problems. Hart said that some soreness, blood and discharge were normal during the healing process, but he said that any possible infection should be checked out. "Sometimes it starts getting sore," she said. "When that happens I take extra care to wash it and use astringent. I haven't had any infections." "Any infection that is ignored is worse than it needs to be," Hart said. Swelling, redness, soreness or continuous oozing are signs of For a piercing to heal correctly, it must be cleaned consistently during the healing period. Here are the healing times for some different piercings: HEALING TIMELINE Earlobe: 4-6 weeks Ear cartilage: 2-12 months Tongue: 4-6 weeks Eyebrow: 6-8 weeks Nostril: 2-3 months Lip: 6-8 weeks Cheek: 2-3 months Lip: 6-8 weeks Nipple: 2-6 months Navel: 6-12 months Navel: 6-12 months - **Female genitalia:** 4-8 weeks - **Male genitalia:** 3-6 months **Source:** Education Training **Resources Associates** possible infection. Hart said those who suspected infection should see their piercer or a doctor as soon as possible. — Edited by Doyle Murphy 1009 Mass. TUITION: Increase caused by lack of state funding, official says $26.854. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A $26,854 In the 1970s there was very little real growth in college prices, but in the early 1980s tuition fees began to grow much faster than consumer prices, the report showed. "The increase in salaries, research and buildings, and the fact that the schools have to keep up with the economy, all reflect tuition increase." Ehrenberg said. The College Board report also mapped out tuition rates by region. This year's average costs at four-year public universities in the Midwest were $5,507 for instate students and $12,319 for out-of-state students. The region with the highest cost is New England. The University of Kansas' instate tuition for the 2003-2004 school year is $4,101, almost $600 below the national average. Ten years ago in-state tuition was $1,920, meaning the University's tuition increased by about 113 "When you look at the numbers,we're still below the national average." Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett senior vice provost percent, well-above the average national increase. Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, senior vice-provost, said these numbers were deceiving. "The reason the increase percentage is so high is because the University's tuition started at such a low baseline," she said. "When you look at the numbers, we're still below the national average." Kansas' tuition has gone up by 17 percent during the past two years as part of a five-year tuition increase plan, said McCluskey Fawcett. She said the increase was needed because the University only got 30 percent of its budget from state funding. Northern Big 12 tuition costs During the 2003-2004 school year, Kansas State charged the least for in-state and out-of-state tuition among the northern six schools in the Big 12 Conference. Kansas State Colorado Nebraska Kansas SOURCES Official university Web sites This year's tuition for out-ofstate students at Kansas is $11,576, about $150 less than the national average. That puts Kansas among the most affordable Big 12 schools for out-of-state students. Kansas has used the money from tuition increases to hire new staff members and raise graduate teaching assistant and student hourly salaries, McCluskey-Fawcett said. The tuition increase means larger costs to all students, such as Dave Miller, Freeport, Ill., senior. But Miller said the increased tuition made sense. "Prices are rising for everything." Miller said. "KU is still one of the cheapest and best values around." — Edited by JJ Hensley Experience the flavors of Thailand in Downtown Lawrence *Freshly prepared Thai Ourtles, grilled satay, exotic rice & noodle dishes, soups, salads and specialty seafood & vegetarian entrees-all items available Mild to Thai Hot *Full bar including Thai beer and "Thai-Friendly" wine list - Daily drink specials *Serving lunch and dinner daily with late-night bar service *Banquet and meeting space available Thai House Restaurant and Bar offers over 60 items made from traditional family recipes using authentic Thai ingredients. AUTHENTIC THAI CUISINE 724 Massachusetts Downtown Lawrence (next to Creation Station) 312.9991 2003 Flu Immunization Clinics Starting Next Week Date Time Mon., October 27 3:00pm-6:00pm Wed., October 29 3:00pm-6:00pm Tues., October 28 10:00am-2:00pm WMHC, $1^{\mathrm{st}}$ floor conference room $ ^{*} $ Thurs., October 30 10:00am-2:00pm Wescoe Terrace WMHC, $ 1^{\mathrm{st}} $ floor conference room $ ^{*} $ Tues., November 4 10:00am-2:00pm Strong Hall, Rotunda Kansas Union, Traditions Area Wed., November 5 3:00pm-6:00pm WMHC, $ 1^{\mathrm{st}} $ floor conference room $ ^{*} $ Thurs., November 6 10:00am--2:00pm Burge Union, Level 2 Mall Student Health Services at Watkins Main: 864.9500 Dislike Shots?! Nasal mist vaccine will be offered at the Watkins clinics* and by appointment. Cost is $51. Flu immunization clinics are open to all students, faculty and staff. Cost for the flu shot is $14 and is payable by cash or check. Can't make it to a clinic? Call 864-9507 and schedule an appointment to get your flu shot at a time convenient for you. Watch for more flu clinics in November!!