Hazards of Nose Piercings

Infection

• Anyone getting a nasal piercing is putting herself at risk of developing a bacterial infection. According to American Family Physician, the nose harbors bacteria that can lead an individual who has had a nose pierced to develop a serious staph infection. An individual who has a nose piercing performed by someone using equipment that has not been properly sterilized puts herself at a great risk at contracting blood-transferred diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C. Piercings should only be performed by an individual who is licensed to do so and should never be done with a piercing gun, which is impossible to sterilize.

Bleeding

• Excessive bleeding is a risk with any type of body piercing, including a nasal piercing. Typically, the fleshy part of the nose is pierced. If the cartilage is pierced instead of the flesh, a person can experience a great deal of bleeding and the development of a septal hematoma. Medline defines as septal hematoma as a bruise or bleeding in the nasal area that separates the nostrils.

Swallowing or Aspirating Jewelry

• An individual who has a nasal piercing puts himself at risk of accidentally dislodging the nose ring and inhaling it during normal breathing. If this happens, the ring will most likely be swallowed or aspirated into the lungs. Immediate medical intervention is required if the nose ring is breathed into the lungs.

Development of Keloids

• Getting a nose piercing can cause an individual to develop keloids. A keloid is a scar that grows. A keloid that occurs from a nasal piercing will start as a bump on the nose and continue to grow larger.

Nerve Damage and Allergic Reaction

• Additional hazards of nose piercings include nerve damage. Some individuals will also experience an allergic reaction to the material that coats a nose ring.