Piercing and infectious complications: an important public health issue inFrance

Characteristic features: Piercing, an act that modifies the body, has progr essed considerably in France over the last few years. The population involv ed has grown and become more diversified. Performed with a solid needle or a catheter, a wide variety of anatomic localizations are concerned, particu larly the nose, ears, and navel. The shape of the "rings", generally made o f surgical steel, niobium or titanium, varies greatly. Wound healing by epi thelialisation can take up to several months. Infectious risk: Between 10% and 20% of all piercings lead to a local infec tion. The most commonly found causal agests are Staphylococcus aureus, grou p A Streptococcus and Pseudomonas sp. These germs can cause severe life-thr eatening complications even in common localizations (earlobe). Viral transm ission is another risk (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis delta, HIV). A few cases of fatal fulminant hepatitis have been described immediately afte r piercing. Safety measures: Generally performed under less than desirable sanitary con ditions, safety measures are needed for piercing. Among professional "pierc ers", a certain number have emphasized the need for providing their clients with safer services. The prevention of infection risk should be a priority for all. Work along this line has been done in the United States and Canad a. In light of the impact on public health, it is important to rapidly deve lop guidelines and regulations for piercing in France. Both professional pi ercers and health care workers should participate in developing these safet y measures in order to assure their implementation.