Breast
Nipple piercing became common in the late 1890’s, starting in Paris and spreading rapidly to London. Nipple piercing is thought to make the nipples larger, more sensitive, and more sexually attractive. People claim that it provides a constant stimulation. There is a wide variety of jewelry ranging from a simple stainless steel ring to chains and barbells going from one side to the other. Nipple piercing through the areola surrounding the nipple may create scar tissue that can constrict a duct dwhen nursing.

Infections following piercing are common and can rapidly spread forming a breast abscess. The person may complain of increased pain, a mass in the breast, runny discharge from the wound, and redness around the wound.

Treatment for this invloves removing the jewelry, taking antibiotics, and possibly surgically draining the abscess.

Men also have breast piercing. The usual technique is a horizontal bar or ring at the nipple-areola junction, but numerous other techniques are described. Because male nipples are smaller, jewelry used in male nipple piercing is also smaller.

Navel
The site most often pierced is the naval. It isshould be noted that naval piercing has the highest rate of complications.

Because the navel is a depressed scar from where the umbilical cord was attached to the body, it tends to collect dirt. Thus, the area becomes a harbor for infection even before a the navel is pierced. After a ring or other jewelry is inserted, constant irritation, collection of dirt, and movement irritate the area. Tight fitting clothes or belts can further irritate the piercing by both trapping moisture and directly rubbing against the piercing. Because of this, these piercings are often infected.

The best candidates for naval piercings are those with the “innie” rather than an “outie” belly button The piercing is done through the little flap of skin above the navel. If the piercing is not deep enough, then the body will reject it, pushing the ring out.

A variety of navel jewels or rings are available. Navel jewels may have lesser rates of infection, because they are not affected by movement and irritated by clothing.