subject: Body Jewelry - Hip or Harmful [print this page] Trendy people are always on the look out for the next big fad. From shoes to clothes to accessories, they want to know it first. If you were living in the 70's, how many people do you think you'd see in one day that had a body piercing? Very few, but body jewelry has seen a recent, and drastic, growth in popularity.
You might be asking, "What sort of things are included in the definition of body jewelry?'" This body decoration is a piece of jewelry generally worn through a hole in one's skin. Examples include earrings, belly button rings, tongue rings, or nose rings. Earrings were the "original" body piercing but in recent decades, teens and 20-somethings have pierced many other creative parts of their bodies. It is said that there is almost no external organ in the human body that has not been pierced! What could this mean for the future of America?
It's safe to say that teens from age 14-20 are probably the most popular age group to receive some sort of piercing in or on their bodies. So what are the risks ofbody jewelry? How could wearing a simple metal ring in your nose or lip turn into a hazard? Sometimes, mouth piercings can turn into a danger because they can chip teeth or cause gum damage if improperly cared for. It is also a possibility that if these teens wear a ring in their mouth or nose, it could be swallowed accidentally but very easily.
There are so many facts that people never think to wonder about before they put their body through painful piercings. Risks include bleeding, swelling, scarring and allergic reactions to the accessory. To treat infections, over-the-counter medicines can help cure them but if not treated soon enough, some people with very bad infections may need surgery.
The next time you set out to get a piercing, check the facts first. Make sure that you know what the risks could include and how serious of a problem one item of body jewelry can become.
