More than 25 percent of British youth with body piercings developed infections, according to a new study from the British Health Protection Agency. Ear lobe piercings were not included in this study, in which BHPA scientists evaluated the association between body piercings and hepatitis infections.

The study found that 46 percent of girls between the ages of 16 to 24 had body piercings, but only 80 of that group had their piercings performed by specialists.

Labels: health, infections, piercings