s Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin*

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Piercings are body embellishments commonly seen in young people, however their inher-ent risk of infection and scarring disorders are less divulged. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of body piercings among medical students and their possible dermatologic consequences. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 58 medical students, by means of a structured questionnaire covering socio-demo-graphic characteristics, technical issues related to the piercing and characteristics of the dermatologic complications. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly female (86.2%), with mean age 24 ± 3 years. The placement of the first piercing occurred during adolescence (median age 15), without medical supervision (91.4%) or knowledge of par-ents/guardians (74%). Most piercings were made of metal alloy/stainless steel, in a dumbbell model (51.7%), inserted in the umbilical area (53.5%) or ear (41.4%), with frequent cutaneous reactions in the first six months post-piercing. Hypertrophic scarring, pain, swelling and infection (p<0.05) had significantly higher frequencies among those with navel piercings. CONCLUSION: Piercing insertion occurred during adolescence. Local inflammatory and infectious reactions were common. Scarring disorders and dermatitis appeared in the long term. There is need for preventive and educa-tional activities, starting with those in the academic environment