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Campaign keeps young people in the loop about body piercing

7 November 2011

Young people in Bolton are being given advice about the potential dangers of getting a body piercing as part of a new campaign.

About one in four piercings develops an infection because either the equipment doing the piercing is not clean or because the piercing has not been properly looked after. Infection can form very easily by bacteria, fungus or other germs getting into the piercing.

NHS Bolton and Bolton Council have joined forces along with Bolton Safeguarding Children Board to develop the campaign after it became apparent there is a lack of information about how to safely get a piercing and look after it.

The campaign is using modern technology, in the form of quick response codes, to direct young people to the website www.theholetruth.co.uk which has information about what to expect from piercing studios, how to look after a piercing to stop it getting infected and what to do if it does become infected.

Posters are being displayed in schools and youth centres as well as in piercing studios and local cinemas. The quick response codes can be used to give young people fast access to the information.

It’s not illegal for under 16s to get a piercing but a good studio will contact a parent or guardian for their consent.

It is hoped the campaign will reduce the number of unnecessary infections in Bolton due to body piercings and make young people think more about the responsibilities of having and looking after a piercing.

Jan Hutchinson, Director of Public Health for Bolton, said: “It crucial that young people know just what they’re taking on when getting a piercing. As with any surgical procedure, there’s always the risk of infection.

“This can be vastly reduced if a piercing is properly looked after. This campaign aims to give young people the full facts about the risks involved and how to look after themselves.”

Councillor Linda Thomas, Executive Member for Corporate Resources and Health, said: “This is a vital campaign, which highlights the importance of making sure that piercings are carried out safely, and without risk of infection.

“The campaign website is full of information for young people who are considering getting pierced, and I would encourage anyone making a big decision such as this to have a look and find out more.”