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Piercings

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:02 am
by Andy
Hi All,
Just wondering has any body had any piercing done post Transplant? I really want the top of my ear done but I have been advised not to do it, cos of infections and stuff- But surely if i took good care of it, it wouldnt be such a bad idea!!!

Cheers
Take Care

Andy
x x x

Piercings

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 2:24 pm
by susie
Well it's a risk you don't have to take - you can get quite nasty infections and your immune system is lower due to post-transplant drugs. If you have to do it wash the site regularly with antiseptic or at least salt water until it is properly healed- and be careful of where you get the piercing done - make sure it's a very sterile environment.

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 2:29 pm
by oldborris
it would be a lousy idea, Andy. But, then, wouldn't an old git like me think so, anyway. I did, however, have a pony tail until a year ago but I always drew the line at sticking bits of metal in my face. Trouble is, you start with an ear and end up with them in your eyelids [looking like cysts], in your nose [lke a pig being led to market], in your tongue [ouch!] and in various other and more private parts of your anatomy from which I would like to shield our more sensitive members.

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:29 pm
by JMan
Andy..


I'd agree with Susie.. the risk is as much as having any other puncture in your skin and sterility and after care is important. You are at more risk than the rest of the population due to immune suppression.
I'm sure you've been told that there's a potential risk of infection and loss of kidney in a worst case scenario.

Piercing isn't something I've gone in for myself though I can certainly see its attraction.

If you are having it done at least tell your unit this (it is after all your decision) and ask them for the best advice for after care. and DO make sure that the place you go to uses sterile equipment (most use sterile disposables for ears these days) If you've made the decision I'd at least expect them to be supportive of it once made rather than trying to argue with you.

I would think they'd advise something similar to any other wound care eg, cleaning with antiseptic (eg betadine, and or saline) and using sterile materials such as sterilised gauze after normal washing.

hope this helps some.

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:23 pm
by Hal
Hi Andy,

Top of the ear is especially bad in my experience. Its hard tissue and so it doesn't heal so well.

I got the top of my ear pierced about 5 years ago. After a few months it got all yucky and I had to take it out. I still have a little lump from it now.

And this is when I was completely healthy with no kidney issues.

So basically I wouldn't recommend it ... if your gonna do it anyway - be careful!

Take Care,

Hal

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 5:34 am
by Pam
Hi Andy-
I had my ears pierced post-transplant, but it was in the lobe and I took care to disinfect and clean it several times a day. I have had them pierced three times (all in the lobes) and never had any infections or problems, but I also have been told that in the cartilage part of the ear you might have a lot of scar tissue and infection is always a bigger problem for us than for the general population.
I am older now (and I hope wiser! :wink: ) and do not wear earrings a lot anymore. If you just have to have a piercing, get it in the lobe of your ear and get someone who knows how to do it-for goodness sake, DO NOT pierce it yourself or have a friend do it! :roll:
-Pam

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:31 am
by Andy
Well, I have thought about it now, and i already have the lobe of my ear piecred twice. had this done a number of years ago, but the top of my ear just appeals to me. But I have ben thinking about it and I think I may leave it purely cos, i nearly lost the top of my ear when I was ill. So for now I think I will leave it pass.

Cheers
Andy