Piercings

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Specializes in Oncology RN.

For something fun and spicy, I got my "girls" pierced fairly recently. Because I am a floor nurse, and I very seldom find myself in MRI, I don't have any issues. However, my other half now wants to have his nips pierced, and he works in a different department, often finding himself having to travel with ER patients to MRI. I know MRI affects metals that are ferromagnetic. I also know that the guy who did my piercing (and will also do that of BF), is very particular when it comes to the metals he uses in his work: implantable grade surgical steel or titanium.

I know SS has some element of iron in it, but not certain about the titanium. So, I was hoping to find out from you guys, who have had experience with it, or just have more info, how much of a problem this is going to be. S.O. would really like to have it done and healed by the time we go on vacation next year.

I'd hate to hear that he went down to MRI with a patient only to have the rings pulled out by unseen force. And it's not feasible to expect him to take the rings out before he goes because you are not supposed to take them out at all during the healing process d/t increased risk of infection.

I know a lot of people have implanted joints/dental work and have no problems with MRIs. I'm just wondering what metals are safe, and which ones are not.

Thoughts? Any help would be appreciated.

(On a side note: I'm only asking about piercings and MRI magnets. This thread is not posted so I can hear about anyone's personal beliefs on the matter of piercings. The piercings are for myself and my guy, and really shouldn't concern anyone we work with.)

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Specializes in SRNA.

The Association of Professional Piercers has articles related to this in their publication.

http://www.safepiercing.org/PDFs/point18.pdf

http://www.safepiercing.org/PDFs/ThePoint_issue34.pdf

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Specializes in ER, Family Practice, Free Clinics.

Ask your piercer about tygon or acrylic.

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Specializes in Oncology RN.

These articales were EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks, Reno!!!

I asked about the Tygon and acrylic. While my piercer prefers not to use them, he would if there were no other options. From what I read, titanium is not magnetic at all, although we are going to be spending a little more for it.

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]I go to MRI with vented pts all the time. It's policy to remove all metal in pockets, stethoscopes, watches, etc., but we don't take off our glasses or hair clip/ponytail holders. The unit is in idle while we are adjusting the pt., and if I'm within 2ft of the unit I can feel the magnet tug on my glasses, otherwise I'd never know the difference.

]My glasses are rimless, ear/nose piece only, stainless steel, so not much metal for the magnet to act against. It's not a strong enough tug to pull them off... I just feel them move. Others have felt their hair clips tugged at, but nothing violent.

]This is when it's in idle and not scanning... but only the pt is in the room when it's scanning. According to the MRI techs the horror stories happen when someone accidentally takes something heavy into the room, like an 02 tank, and forgets to take it out before the scan.

]i hope this helps! :)

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I love titanium and I far as I know its X-ray safe. If your wearing barbells be careful not to catch them on your seat belt. Thin bra,+thin shirt+seat belt= Ouch!!

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro.

I have a metal retainer in my mouth and it didn't cause any problems when I got my MRI, I don't know what kind of metal it is though (it's silver).

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Specializes in Family.

I prefer titanium, but the only reason for me was that my body accepts titanium where it rejects SS. Good luck!

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Specializes in Educator.

i have titanium screws in my knee and have had multiple mris since then without any problem

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Funny, we just got a new MRI machine here that's twice as powerful as our old one so I just read up on MRI safety. You should be fine with the titanium. As you put it...ferromagnetic substances are what you absolutely don't want. Titanium is not ferromagnetic and will not be affected in MRI.

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I have my "girls" pierced, as you put it and have never had any problems with MRI's. I have had 2 of my shoulder since I had them done and never felt any discomfort. My rings are steel as are the ones in my ears. I had a slight pull on my ears while in the room, but nothing major to force me to remove any of the jewlery. The only thing he needs to make sure of it watching what shirts he wears. Guys don't have the benefit of a bra to "pad" and cover the rings.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I remember going into the MRI room with a patient and having a pair of bandage scissors fly out of my pants pocket and sticking to the MRI machine! :eek: I was horrified. I was positive I had gotten everything metal out of my pockets and off my person. The machine was in "idle" mode but it still pulled those scissors out of my pocket. The upside was I didn't feel my navel piercing being tugged on at all. :p

Melanie

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