Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research on Candida albicans Biofilm-Associated Prosthetic Joint Infections
Published on: February 2, 2024
Complications of Body Piercings: A Systematic Review
Santina Conte1, Kiyana Kamali1, Morgan Muncey-Buckley1
1Santina Conte is from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Kiyana Kamali is from the Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Morgan Muncey-Buckley is from the School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. Khaldon Abbas is from the Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Sabljic is from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mukovozov is from the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia.
Body piercing complications are increasingly common. This review summarizes risks associated with skin and mucosal piercings, emphasizing hygiene and patient awareness for safe body modification practices.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Body piercing is a widespread cultural practice for religious, spiritual, or self-expression purposes.
- Piercings are increasingly popular across all genders, with common sites including ears, mouth, nose, nipples, navel, and genitals.
- A comprehensive review of complications linked to body piercings is currently lacking in the literature.
Conclusions:
- Body piercing is associated with numerous potential complications, including infections and scarring.
- Enhanced hygiene protocols in piercing salons are crucial to mitigate risks.
- Patient education regarding potential complications is vital for informed decision-making and aftercare.
Related Concept Videos
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...

