Body piercing: could you answer your patient's queries?

Abstract

This article addresses the increasingly popular activity of body piercing. The activity occurs across the social spectrum and a range of differing ages. The author calls for all registered nurses to consider the many issues surrounding body piercing. A definition of body piercing and a historical overview are given. The risks posed by some body piercings are described and information nurses need to know, if asked, is outlined. Nurses and midwives work with a variety of clinical settings and therefore they need to be able to make an informed response to patients' questions and queries. Finally, examples of how to care for piercings post insertion in order to minimize the risk of infection and to prevent complications are provided.