you’re able to get almost any part of your body pierced, including your nipples.
While nipple piercing seems pretty harmless, it does carry health risks that you should be aware of.
Scars, tears, and nerve damage are also possible.
richardarno / Getty Images
These may be related to how the piercing was done, how clean you keep the wound or both.
The article looks closely at some of the risks of body piercing.
It also offers a few simple tips on what you could do to reduce the risks.
Here are some viruses you should be aware of.
Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis Bis a virus affecting the liver that is transmitted through contaminated blood.
Needles, particularly in tattoo and piercing tweaks, are among the possible sources of infection.
Hepatitis Cis a liver infection spread through contact with infected blood, including by needles contaminated with the blood.
It is for this reason that piercing equipment must be disposable or sterilizednot just sanitizedafter each use.
They are common complications of nipple piercings, resulting in redness, swelling, bleeding, and weeping pus.
They can occur in other parts of the body as well.
A nipple abscess cannot be treated with antibiotics alone.
Instead, it must first be drained and cleaned, often surgically.
After draining the abscess, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.
Sometimes, your piercing may need to be permanently removed to prevent further infections.
Nipple piercing can cause problems besides infections.
A tear can also occur if you suddenly move while getting a piercing.
Some tissues, like the nipple or genitals, are particularly delicate and prone to tears.
In some cases, the tear may be severe enough to require corrective surgery.
The tearing of a clitoral piercing may also end up reducing sexual sensitivity.
Scarring
Piercing ultimately wounds the skin, and wounds can cause scarring.
This is more likely if you have an infection following a piercing.
Even if you don’t, a piercing can cause a raised, pigmented scar known as akeloid.
A keloid is usually larger than the original wound.
Some can grow significantly and become unsightly and tender to the touch.
You are more likely to develop nerve damage if you have had an infection or a traumatic tear.
One area where nerve damage is common is theclitoris.
The most basic one is knowing how long it can take to heal from the piercing.
All body piercings require proper care as they heal.
Any open wound triggered by piercing can easily become infected.
Wear soft fabrics over the piercing to avoid snags and yanking down clothing.
To reduce the risk of infection following a piercing, only choose a licensed and experienced piercing technician.
Summary
Getting a body piercing can carry certain health risks, particularly the risk of infection.
Scarring is possible, including the formation of enlarged growths called keloids.
Nerve damage may also occur.
A Word From Verywell
Deciding to pierce your nipples can be a major decision.
Certain infections can be permanent, and if something goes wrong, there can be long-lasting effects.
This is not true.
Messahel A, Musgrove B.Infective complications of tattooing and skin piercing.J Infect Public Health.
2009;2(1):7-13. doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2009.01.006
World Health Organization.Hepatitis B.
2018;24(7).
2017;140(4).
2014;60(1):51-52.
La Leche League International.Nipple piercings.
2006 Jan;14(1):89-93.
