[The risk of severe complications of body piercing should not be underestimated].

Mankind has a long history of body decoration and body piercing has now reached epidemic popularity within a large proportion of the population. Complications such as bleeding and local infection are common, but severe infections like septicaemia, endocarditis and transmission of hepatitis may occur. We describe a 39 year old man with genital piercing who spent 43 days hospitalized because of Foumier's gangrene with necrotizing fascitis starting in the genital tract and perineum. He developed septicaemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. A young woman with breast implants got severe mastitis after piercing her mamills. People with immunodeficiency, heart valve abnormality and present or future artificial prosthesis or skin disease should be discouraged from piercing. Since many disorders are not diagnosed when the piercing takes place, general restriction is recommended. Medical risks and consequences of piercing, especially of mucosal surfaces and cartilage, should not be underestimated.