Australian Medical Association

The AMA today urged Australians considering undergoing body piercing to ensure that they are aware of the health risks associated with the procedure and what they can do to reduce the chances of something going wrong.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today launched an AMA youth health brochure that provides advice about the risks associated with piercing including the factors and questions people should consider before having a body piercing.

“Summer is a popular time for some young people to undergo piercing. However, doctors sometimes see some serious negative health effects from body piercing,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Piercing is not a simple procedure, and it is also not always a safe procedure.

Many people make the decision to have a part of their body pierced. Body piercing can have potential health consequences, some of them quite serious. This new brochure in the AMA youth health series, outlines some of the potential health problems of piercing, and provides advice on important questions to ask in order to avoid those problems.

Body image describes how an individual conceptualises his or her physical appearance. The body image a person has results from the interaction between the person’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behaviours regarding their own body, and their perception of what counts as the ideal body within their own social and cultural setting. Unhealthy body image can affect men and women, children and the elderly from all backgrounds.

AMA Position Statement: Developmental Health and Wellbeing of Australia's Children and Young People - 2003

What is stress?

Stress is a normal part of everyday life. It is the way our bodies respond to events which are stressful and could be a threat. Crossing the road can become stressful if a car speeds towards us. Once we sense the danger of the oncoming car, the body releases adrenaline, which speeds everything up. Our heart beats faster, we breathe more quickly, we may sweat more or get ‘butterflies’ in our stomach. The brain sends a signal to the body to do something. In this case it would be to run and get out of the way.

What causes stress?

Over a number of years the AMA has produced a range of brochures designed to inform people about issues that effect their health and well-being. A number of these brochures target young people.

Links to online versions of these brochures are provided below.

Youth Health: Gambling and your health

Youth Health: Drugs

Youth Health: Doctors

Youth Health: Cannabis and your health