[Infections caused by piercing and tattoos--a review]

Piercing, i.e. perforation of skin or mucous membranes in order to attach mostly metallic jewelery as well as multicolored skin tattooing have become more popular than ever before and a considerable number of (young) people practise these methods of body art which are supposed to increase the individuality. But there is a lot of side effects, among them especially infections. The most important bacteria cultivated from such patients are Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viruses which can be transmitted by piercing or tattooing are especially hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Besides local bacterial infections also systemic infections (sepsis, endocarditis) occur. The main aspects of diagnostics, therapy and prevention are discussed.