Complications of Body Piercings: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The practice of body piercing has been present in many cultures worldwide for centuries, whether for religious or spiritual reasons or as a form of self-expression. In recent years, body piercings have become increasingly popular in all genders, with the most common sites being the ears, mouth, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals. However, despite the widespread utilization of piercings, a comprehensive literature review of associated complications is lacking. This scoping review aims to summarize the literature regarding complications associated with cutaneous and mucosal piercings. Given that body piercing has become more prevalent in recent years and that studies have noted an increase in a variety of piercing-induced complications, it is of utmost importance that piercing salons have proper hygiene practices in place and that patients are aware of the multitude of potential complications that can arise.