Carmarthenshire County Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards team is urging anyone who has recently had a body piercing to check the after-care solution they may have been provided, following an outbreak of pseudomonas infection in other parts of the UK.
The team has issued a product safety alert to all businesses licensed to carry out body piercing in Carmarthenshire, asking them to check their stock of after care products for those manufactured by Lion Care Products Ltd, trading as Body Art Supplies.
The alert notice is specifically for a saline solution supplied by this manufacturer in 100ml spray bottles, which has been distributed across the UK and available online.
Pseudomonas is a bacterial infection which can lead to tissue damage or septic shock.
Whilst no infections have been reported or identified in Carmarthenshire, 24 people – mainly in the Northampton and Reigate area – have required treatment for pseudomonas, including seven who have required surgery.
It has been most commonly found in ear cartilage piercings.
As with complications following any piercing, members of the public are advised to seek medical attention – especially if they have used the saline solution manufactured by Lion Care Products Ltd.
Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “This is a nationwide product safety alert, and although we are fortunate that no infections have been reported in Carmarthenshire, we have made sure all our licensed piercing premises are aware of the information and advice.”
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