Belly Piercing/Tattoo

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have a 14-year-old travelling through the minefield called adolescence. She wants her belly button pierced (absolutely not) and a tattoo (absolutely not). But just FMI - has anyone seen or had experience with health problems associated with belly botton piercing? Also, has anyone ever heard of a "six-month tattoo?"

Specializes in CV-ICU.

I told both of my kids that tattoes and piercings (except for my dtr's. single peirced ears) were not allowed while they lived under my roof. In spite of them both being ADHD and HUGE BUTTON PUSHERS while they were growing up, they both did abide by my rules on this. :devil:

However, I did let them dye their hair after age 16 because I figured that would grow out (and it did!) and my son went blond (which looked really GOOD!) and my dtr. went every color of the rainbow! :rolleyes:

My dtr. now has 3 piercings on her one ear and only the one on her other ear. She says she wants a tattoo, but agrees not to get one til after she graduates from college. I personally hope she never does get one.

My son had his tongue pierced last year, but ended up having to remove it when he had to go to the dentist to get teeth pulled. The dentist told him how dangerous the pierced tongue was if he got an infection; my son hasn't pierced anything else.

Having had allergic reactions to my own pierced earrings, I have made a point of telling my kids and their friends that what they do to themselves when young could affect them in the future. It does seem to qwell their interest in some of the experimenting that they were interested in doing. :D

Facial and body piercings are dangerous to us as nurses because confused patients can grab at the rings, studs, and barbells and injure the integrity of our skin. I've had a co-worker have her earring ripped off her ear by a combative pt.; and as far as nipple rings, I've seen enough confused Little Old Ladies grab and twist younger nurses boobs that I would never consider having that done to me! :eek:

Specializes in ICU, PICU, Orthopaedics, Spinal.

hmmm, interesting one, well I think 14 is old enough for a belly button ring. i agree with what most people have posted, its not permanent, so theres no big deal if she changes her mind down the track. On the other hand, 14 is WAY too young for a tattoo, i didn't get mine til I was 23 (i'm 28 now) and made sure that I was really getting something that I wanted and was happy to have on me forever:) My tattoo is only small - a dolphin on my ankle - but it still really gets noticed, not that I've ever been directly discriminated against because of it, but there sure are some people out there who are still of the opinion unfortunately that tattoo on woman = slut, and it makes me as mad as hell, but perhaps let your daughter know that too.:p

I'm curently thinking about getting another tattoo - just have too many ideas and can't decide which one to go for. (would love to get my belly pierced, but lets just say i don't really have the belly of a 14 year old unfortunately):devil:

Specializes in peds, office nurse and long term care fa.

I use to work in a physician's office. Out of all the numerous people that I have taken care of, only 1 had infection from the belly piercing. The doc had to remove the ring, and she had a lot of pain. It was so tender and hurt so bad, she squeezed my hands while he was removing it, didn't think I was going to have any feeling left in them. We saw anywhere from 40-50 people a day at the office. I worked for him for 8 1/2 years. This should be something that you are comfortable with your decision.

I've tried to picture what body piercings and tattoos will be like for the next generation of nurses. Forty years from now or so, in report: "And in bed 2 we have Muffy Smith, age 80, admitted with an acute MI, who requires Body Piercing Care to her tongue, nipple and labial body piercings..." Maybe there will even be a Body Piercing Care protocol and nursing research on "Prevention of Infection in Intimate Body Piercings for the Long Term Care Resident"...

:eek:

(maybe I should just go back to the moles...):roll

JeanieM!!!! Body piercing car!!!:roll :roll Should we give peri care to the moles? And will THEY have body piercings?!

Originally posted by JeannieM

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:eek:

(maybe I should just go back to the moles...):roll

Originally posted by zudy

JeanieM!!!! Body piercing car!!!:roll :roll Should we give peri care to the moles? And will THEY have body piercings?!

mole.jpg

i work with several nurses who have tongue piercing , bellybutton piercing, and tatoos. i don't think it has everbeen an issue. in fact for a long time i didn't even know about the tongues. however at my husband's office they had a receptionist at one time and she was required to remove her tongue ring. also i have had several pts who have privy parts piercing(i work l&d)jama

sunnygirl...

you are soooooo awesome!

Heather

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