Posted on 11/22/2001 10:41:27 PM PST by L.N. Smithee
Thursday November 22 10:44 AM ET
By Charnicia E. Huggins
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The first case of brain abscess following tongue piercing has been identified in a 22-year-old female, according to two Yale researchers.
``Since tongue piercing appears to be becoming increasingly popular...we feel it is important for physicians, the public and those performing the piercings to be aware of the potential complications,'' Dr. Richard A. Martinello of Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, told Reuters Health.
``However, since this is the only case reported in the medical literature, the frequency of this particular complication is likely very low,'' he added.
In this case, the patient reported tongue swelling and pus drainage around the piercing site about 2 to 3 days after having her tongue pierced. She initially tolerated the symptoms, but pulled the stud out within 1 or 2 days, after which her symptoms improved, according to Martinello and colleague Dr. Elizabeth Cooney.
Four weeks later, however, the patient began experiencing headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting and dizziness and was also increasingly wobbly while walking, the report indicates. She had a history of drug use, but denied using drugs during the previous 5 months and was HIV (news - web sites) negative.
An MRI brain imaging scan revealed an abscess in the patient's brain, and she subsequently underwent surgery to drain the abscess. Upon examination of the drained fluid, the researchers found that it was contaminated with Streptococcus viridans and other normal mouth bacteria typically found in plaque, Martinello said.
The patient consequently received 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy and fully recovered.
In light of both the onset of symptoms following the removal of the tongue jewelry and the types of bacteria identified in the drained fluid, the brain abscess most likely resulted from the tongue piercing, according to Martinello and Cooney.
What's more, the relatively few reports of infection following tongue piercing may be due to reporting bias, rather than a true lack of incidents, the researchers speculate. Other reports of infection include a chest abscess and a heart infection.
``As the popularity of body art grows, frequency and spectrum of piercing site infections may increase,'' the investigators conclude.
``I think it is very important that people be aware that if they do experience any significant pain, swelling, fever or drainage from the piercing site, they (should) see their physician to have the area assessed for an infection,'' Martinello added.
The findings were presented recently in San Francisco, California, during the 39th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Mag wheels, neon lights, mud flaps, squirrel tails....
Now, on the other hand (and there's always the other hand) I think this practice is a vice and that should be discouraged. Certainly not with laws or constitutional amendments, but perhaps with a bit of healthy ridicule, such as what we are doing here.
Here's a link (page or so with small pictures) to the guy that tamped some dynamite a bit too hard - and lived to tell about it. Well, not sure if he remembered it, but it was a body piercing that affected the brain.
I think the Harvard Medical School has the object of interest.
You don't have to tell me. I have been a news junkie since my single digits, and have seen a lot of rough stuff that people who just watch the evening news recoil at over the decades, but when it came to a story about about that head-drilling biz, I chickened out at the last second. Unlike much of the stomach-turning things I have had to face for the sake of being informed, this added nothing to my life but an image I probably would wish I hadn't seen.
Back in the early '90s, some quasi-eggheads in the rave/ecstasy crowd popularized "smart drinks" with amino acids and vitamins which they said made them more intelligent. I said then that if the stuff really made them smarter, they would be using their intelligence for more important things than ways to throw a cooler party.
I doubt it's a problem. The body is nourished through the mouth, and when bad or tainted things constantly are in it, the whole body suffers, so a new and worthless object introduced to the tongue would be a concern.
On the other hand, all of us are generally through with our navels after the umbilical cord is cut -- it's usually a matter of whether it's clean for those we welcome near it.
Just to be sure...If you look like Dawn Wells, Raquel Welch, or Barbara Eden, I would be more than willing to check your navel out. ; )
"Earth Girls Are Easy," Julie Brown. What do I win?
I would like to think that Chris Rock's single "No Sex in the Champagne Room" would have dissuaded some from getting tongue piercings, although it might have persuaded others.
I am about ten years older than you. I am a professional woman and have had many years of college. Many of my colleagues who had tatoos and piercings are now taking out the studs and having the tatoos removed.
It is my opinion that to resist tatoos and piercings is truly 'not following the crowd'. You are a follower, my dear. Piercings and tattos were around and popular in the early punk rock days. I remember the safety pins in the nipples and the tongue piercings in the late 70's and early 80's. You were less than 10 years old when this current trend started. There is truly nothing new under the sun.
Bingo. I hate to make three consecutive references to lyrics in a non musical thread, but this one fits: In their single "Every Day is Halloween," the lead singer of seminal techno group Ministry sings:
One thing is certain, because I have discussed it with employers. Many will see it as a sign of questionable judgement, regardless of whether you think it should be so. As such, it limits an individual's career potential in certain professional fields.
well any time, any place, anywhere
that I go all the people seem to stop and stare
they say 'why are you dressed like it's halloween?
you look so absurd, you look so obscene!'o, why can't I live a life for me?
why should I take the abuse that's served?
why can't they see they're just like me
it's the same, it's the same in the whole wide worldwell I let their teeny minds think
that they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
and I dress this way just to keep them at bay
cos halloween is everyday
it's everyday
I have yet to meet a true professional who has his illegitimate son's name on his neck or her deceased gang pal's nickname on her forearm. However, I have lost count of the fast food workers and bike messengers that fit that description.
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