Body piercings may be artistic, but they bring risks of infection, allergic reactions, scarring and urine leakage

Infections, scarring and hepatitis B and C are just some of the health problems caused by body piercing. Laurence Monneret/The Image Bank via Getty Images

Throughout history, body piercing has been a symbol of beauty, sexuality, ritual initiation and rites of passage.

Mayan royalty had their tongues and genitals pierced; during the Victorian era, many women pierced their nipples. After World War II, tongue, nipple and genital piercings occurred in Germany. Today, body piercing remains common in tribal societies throughout Africa, Asia and South America.