title: Tongue piercing resulting in hypotensive collapse.
abstract: Tongue piercing remains popular. A variety of complications have been reported, including life-threatening infection, airway problems and damaged teeth or mucosal surfaces. A patient who collapsed after continuous profuse bleeding following tongue piercing is presented. It is recommended that piercing practitioners be licensed and inspected. A list of written post piercing instructions for customers is included on how to deal with, or who to contact regarding potential complications including haemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Barts & London NHS Trust, Whitechapel.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hardee
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Mallya
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Hutchison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000209:etiology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries*