ST HELENS Council is calling for a national registration scheme to be set up on body piercing and to deal with any unscrupulous operators.

There is currently no specific law or licensing scheme which controls body piercing, but because of its increased popularity, the council say that potential customers should be made aware of the risks involved in this type of service before making a decision.

Piercing involves puncturing the skin to introduce jewellery. The primary health concern is the introduction of blood-borne diseases into the body such as hepatitis, tetanus and HIV, which can lead to serious health problems and even death. Localised infections can also lead to illness or scarring.

In addition, the council's Environmental Health department says that there are complications depending on where the body has been pierced. Naval infections can take more than a year to heal, ear cartilage heals slowly and tongue piercings may lead to puncturing a blood vessel or tooth damage from biting on the jewellery.

Councillor Richard Ward, chairman of the Housing Environmental and Contract Services Committee said: "Environmental Health officers in St Helens insist on the highest standards possible in establishments known to offer body piercing. But the practice is becoming more prevalent and until a national registration scheme is in force, there is a danger that less scrupulous operators will set up unknown to the authority, possibly putting people at risk."

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