More septic piercings revealed in Hawke's Bay

Another 10 cases of infected piercings have been reported after Hawke's Bay Today's article last week, which revealed seven people were being tested for hepatitis because of unhygienic piercings procedures.
All 17, mostly teenagers, developed skin infections from clothing and piercing store Trendez in Napier.
Hawke's Bay District Health Board medical officer of health Lester Calder said the majority of infections were from piercings that took place earlier this year, before the public health unit worked with Trendez operators to put new procedures in place.
HBDHB medical officer of health Nicholas Jones earlier said that the investigation in March found "deficiencies in the operator's sterile procedures that could cause the transfer of skin infection from one client to another".
New procedures were put in place to limit infection.
Store owner Nick Turner knew of only one infection that occurred after the health and safety changes were made.
"There was one from the fourth of March in the eyebrow. I think that fell outside the window of compliance because the DHB said [this week] there were no ongoing infections."
He believed the infection was caused by inadequate aftercare. "Cross contamination can come from anywhere ... touching with their finger and sleeping on them with dirty pillowcases," he said. "We provide everyone with aftercare and invite them back for free cleans and check ups. [But] once they leave the door, they're responsible for looking after their own piercings."
Mr Turner said he had faith in his three staff at the store.
"We've been there for eight years and we've had thousands of customers ... My girls have been there for four years, three years and one year [respectively]. That's eights years' combined experience. They're as horrified as I am to learn of these things."
The initial seven had their ears pierced in February and some still needed bandages 2 months later. Others suffered abscesses that had to be surgically cut open and drained, and permanently damaged cartilage in the ears.
Those seven people were now awaiting test results for Hepatitis B and C.
The HBDHB was not recommending the new cases be tested for Hepatitis B and C until the first group's results came through.
Dr Calder said it was "very unlikely" the patients would have contracted Hepatitis and the tests were a precautionary measure.
He warned people should be aware of the risks involved with body piercings.
"No matter how clean or sterile an operator's procedures are, there is always the risk of infection when you pierce the skin, especially in areas like the mouth and nose," he said.
He said infections left untreated had the potential to make people very sick and in the worst cases people might require surgery and intensive antibiotic treatment.
Dr Calder advised anyone with an ongoing infection to see their GP for treatment.