Health workers are going into schools and colleges to warn young people about the dangers of body piercing.
About one in four piercings become infected because of dirty equipment in studios or because the piercing has not been properly looked after, according to statistics.
Now chiefs at NHS Bolton and Bolton council have joined forces to launch a new campaign to try to reduce the risk of infection.
They have set up a website, telling teenagers what to expect from piercing studios, how to look after a piercing and what to do if it becomes infected.
Posters are being displayed in schools and youth centres, as well as in piercing studios and local cinemas.
Bacteria risk
The literature uses quick response codes – which can be scanned using smartphones – giving young people fast access to the information.
It’s not illegal for under 16s to get a piercing but a reputable studio will contact a parent or guardian for their consent.
Bosses said they hope the campaign will reduce the number of unnecessary infections – which are caused by bacteria getting into the wound – and make young people think more about the responsibilities of having a piercing.
Jan Hutchinson, director of public health for Bolton, said: “As with any surgical procedure, there’s always the risk of infection. This can be vastly reduced if a piercing is properly looked after.”
Students Harper Green School and Arts College in Farnworth were first to test the site, www.theholetruth.co.uk.
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The worst is when you see babies only maybe a year old with pierced ears, should this not be considered child abuse
Why would anyone want body piercings? The skin is a barrier between your organs and the outside world, putting holes in it just increases the risk of catching an unpleasant and possibly dangerous infection. It's not a lot different to being stabbed.
I agree that it is disgusting that babies have their ears pierced. It is tantamount to child abuse.
I think piercing any part of the body is "common" and cannot understand why anybody would want to mutilate themselves in this way.
There's a ring of truth about the comments on here tonight.
I sometimes smile when I imagine these young people aged 60, with grandchildren sitting on their knees showing them the holes in their lips and ears and their faded tattoos.