OPINION OF AN OBSERVER OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - OPINION - - Sticking a needle through a body organ (usually skin organ) has been done by man for thousands of years. Certain parts or organs were relatively taboo. Nothing can't be pierced - and many times is. Piercing is usually less destructive and permanent than a tattoo, but there are consequences. Today is an interesting day to write this as I was on call to an emergency department when I responded for a problem involving a broken eyesocket - probably no eye injury. The cause - fainting while getting a ring or post changed So fainting - and a broken face (eye socket) - a rare complication - but certainly not a minor one. Other more common problem - It hurts. Usually goes away but sometimes not - especially if you get pierced in the nerve or too near the nerve - rare. It bleeds - not much usually - how's your blood anyway ( no hepatitis B or C ?) - HIV ? How was the needle or stud - clean I hope - gloves used - sterile stud are you sure ? was it autoclaved ?? - correctly by the way ? Do you know ?? Infection ? - We have heard about several - seen a few - usually it has to come out if infected. Thick scar - keloid - hypertrophic scar - seen a bunch especially in the ear - pictures to follow I hope ! Take it out - and a hole - spot - scar remains in the skin - (less of a problem in the tongue). Are you allergic to the metal - many have metal allergies and this is a cause of 'rejection' and / or 'infection' Get torn up ? - waiting for these rips to develope is probably rare (except in the ear lobe or nipple). Are you old enough ? Isn't 18 the age of consent ? except if you are an emancipated minor ? If you are a parent this may bother you when the less than eighteen year old comes home pierced !! DEAD END PAGE