Body piercings have become increasingly popular and a socially acceptable form of body modification. The most common site of piercings is the ear, with increasing popularity involving the mouth, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals.[1] Localized cellulitis is the most common infectious complication resulting from body piercings. If not identified and treated accordingly these localized infections, though rare, can lead to more serious systemic complications such as Ludwig angina, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, and Fournier gangrene as detailed in case reports.[2]
The most commonly identified organisms from body piercing infections include skin flora responsible for skin and soft tissue infections such as staphylococcus and streptococcus species though there are a few exceptions. There is a higher rate of incidence of pseudomonas infections when involving the cartilaginous ear and nasal structures.[3]Individuals with genital piercings are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections such as Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. Additionally, patients colonized with Staphylococcus aureus are at increased risk of infection regarding nasal piercing infections. Also, infection rates are low involving piercings of the lips and tongue despite the large number of bacteria present in the oral cavity.[4]
A national survey found that of the respondents, approximately 35%, reported having some form of body piercings with 14% endorsing piercings at sites other than the soft earlobe. Women, in general, are more likely than men to have body piercings. Women additionally have more piercings to sites other than the soft earlobe when compared with males.[5] Individuals between the ages of 24 to 34 have the highest prevalence of body piercings. Of those individuals with piercings at sites other than the soft earlobe, 23% reported experiencing a medical complication. One-third of those with body piercings report having received piercings outside of a specified body art studio which raises the concern for increased infection transmission.[6][7]
Concerns over non-sterilized and improper cleaning techniques of piercing equipment, as well as, an individual patient's overall hygiene habits and poor piercing aftercare attribute to the increased risk of infection with associated body piercings.[3] There is a higher incidence of infection when involving the ear due to its poor blood supply leading to issues of wound healing. An additional concern arises with genital piercings that can compromise the integrity of barrier contraception and increase the risk for sexually transmitted infections.[3]
Most skin and soft tissue complications will present similarly to localized cellulitis infections or abscesses such as areas of erythema, swelling, warmth, tenderness, fluctuance, and possibly purulent drainage. More systemic symptoms such as fever, tachycardia, malaise, or changes in mentation can vary depending on the location and if a disseminated infection is present.[8][9] It is essential to ask about who performed the piercing, when did the piercing occur, and the equipment used to perform the procedure when evaluating a possible infectious complication from a body piercing.[1]
The diagnosis of minor localized infections is often based on the clinical presentation and do not require the need for extensive testing. Though indications for laboratory testing and imaging may not be present for every patient, some patients may need further evaluation when systemic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, hypotension, or altered mentation are present.[9] Common laboratory testing and imaging may include complete blood count, electrolytes, renal function, lactic acid, plain film x-ray or ultrasound.[8]
Conservative treatment of minor local infections includes warm compress and over the counter or prescription topical antibiotics such as bacitracin or mupirocin. Oral antibiotics such as cephalexin or clindamycin provide coverage for streptococcus and staphylococcus. If concerns for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus exist, then oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole confers adequate coverage. Infected piercings of the high ear involving the cartilaginous structures are likely to be caused by Pseudomonas and are treatable with a fluoroquinolone like ciprofloxacin.
Removal of the piercing jewelry is requisite, and the placement of a loose loop suture through the piercing can be used to maintain the piercing patency throughout the duration of infection treatment. Oral piercings tend to have a lower infection rate but when present are treatable with amoxicillin/clavulanate. The recommended duration of treatment for local cellulitis is five days, but therapy duration extension is possible if there is no sign of symptomatic improvement.[9] The addition of oral alcohol rinses or topical cleaners containing carbamide peroxide can aide in infection healing. Treatment for genital piercing infections should include the consideration to cover for Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis with intramuscular ceftriaxone and oral azithromycin in the appropriate setting aside from the standard soft tissue infections. If the patient has not gotten a tetanus vaccination or booster within the last five years, then this should be updated if presenting with an infection after a recent body piercing.
The differential diagnosis should be relatively straightforward with the complaint centered on the piercing site. Other possible diagnoses could include but are not limited to a retained foreign body, allergic reaction, deep vein thrombosis, sepsis from a disseminated local infection or representation of a bleeding disorder following the initial piercing.[2]
Complications arising from body piercing infections are rare, and antibiotic treatment along with incision and drainage of an abscess is the cornerstone of therapy.[2]
Potential complications of piercing infections are relatively minor when identified early and treated with appropriate antimicrobials. A delay in presentation can lead to increased severity of local skin and soft tissue infections such as abscess formation, nasal septal perforation, airway compromise with as in cases of Ludwig angina, or possible disseminated to distant sites such as endocarditis.[4] Lastly, complications of antimicrobial use have the known risk of Clostridium difficile colitis.[2]
Patients need to be counseled on the risks of associated infection when undergoing body piercings. Importance should be placed on infection prevention and the need for utilization of a trusted and certified piercing parlor as these locations have requirements for proper hygiene and sterilization techniques.[2]
Rare reports exist of other infections including but are not limited to hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and tetanus.[10] Complications of local infections can have grave implications with reports of toxic shock syndrome due to Staphylococcus aureus and associated ear piercing, endocarditis from nasal a nasal piercing, Ludwig angina from an oral piercing, and abscess formation compromising a breast implant after a nipple piercing, all have documented case reports.[4] For these reasons, it is necessary to identify and treat localized infection to prevent severe and life-threatening complications.[3]
Culture and gram stain of purulent drainage of skin infections can help aid in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, but this is not a requirement (level II). Alternatively, it is not recommended to perform a swab, biopsy, or blood culture from a cellulitis infection (level II). For abscesses, incision and drainage is the recommended treatment (level I). For infections involved with penetrating trauma, as could be the case with a recent body piercing, treatment with antimicrobials directed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species are recommended (level II). Recommended treatment duration is five days, but therapy extension is advisable if not improved during that treatment period (level I).[9]
[1] | Van Hoover C,Rademayer CA,Farley CL, Body Piercing: Motivations and Implications for Health. Journal of midwifery & women's health. 2017 Aug 14 [PubMed PMID: 28806494] |
[2] | Lee B,Vangipuram R,Petersen E,Tyring SK, Complications associated with intimate body piercings. Dermatology online journal. 2018 Jul 15 [PubMed PMID: 30261561] |
[3] | Patel M,Cobbs CG, Infections from Body Piercing and Tattoos. Microbiology spectrum. 2015 Dec [PubMed PMID: 27337275] |
[4] | Stirn A, Body piercing: medical consequences and psychological motivations. Lancet (London, England). 2003 Apr 5 [PubMed PMID: 12686054] |
[5] | Laumann AE,Derick AJ, Tattoos and body piercings in the United States: a national data set. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006 Sep [PubMed PMID: 16908345] |
[6] | Bone A,Ncube F,Nichols T,Noah ND, Body piercing in England: a survey of piercing at sites other than earlobe. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2008 Jun 21 [PubMed PMID: 18556275] |
[7] | Kluger N,Misery L,Seité S,Taieb C, Body Piercing: A National Survey in France. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland). 2019 [PubMed PMID: 30404090] |
[8] | Clebak KT,Malone MA, Skin Infections. Primary care. 2018 Sep [PubMed PMID: 30115333] |
[9] | Stevens DL,Bisno AL,Chambers HF,Dellinger EP,Goldstein EJ,Gorbach SL,Hirschmann JV,Kaplan SL,Montoya JG,Wade JC, Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 2014 Jul 15 [PubMed PMID: 24973422] |
[10] | Perry M,Lewis H,Thomas DR,Mason B,Richardson G, Need for improved public health protection of young people wanting body piercing: evidence from a look-back exercise at a piercing and tattooing premises with poor hygiene practices, Wales (UK) 2015. Epidemiology and infection. 2018 Jul [PubMed PMID: 29708089] |