Body Piercing Glossary

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Hafada

• Piercings at the side of the scrotum.

Hallmark

• A mark on a piece of jewelry indicated the precious metal content of the item.
• "750" indicates 750 parts per thousand of pure gold in the item of jewelry.

Helix

Hematite

• Also spelt "haematite".
• A mineral composed of iron oxide.
• Commonly machined into balls used as the captured beads in rings.
• Chemical formula Fe₂O₃.

HEPA Filter

• A type of air filter capable of filtering out micro-organisms from the air passing through it.
• Modern sterilizers use HEPA filters to prevent contamination during their drying cycle.
• The presence of a HEPA filter in a piercing room or operating theatre will reduce the risk of contamination of a piercing.

Hepatitis

• Inflammation of the liver.
• Commonly occurs as a result of:
  1. Viral Infections e.g. Hepatitis A
  2. Ingesting chemicals in toxic quantities e.g Alcoholic hepatitis

Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis A virus
• Commonly known as "Infectious Hepatitis".
• Incubation period 2 - 6 weeks.
• Spread by the faecal oral route.

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis B virus
• Also known as "Serum Hepatitis" or "Hep B".
• Incubation period 2 - 6 months.
• Spread via the exchange of bodily fluids.

Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis C virus
• Used to be called non-A non-B hepatitis.
• Spread by sharing needles, unsterile tattooing, unsterile body-piercing, sharing of drug taking paraphenalia (such as for nasal inhalation of cocaine).

Hydrogen Peroxide

• Not recommended for any role in piercing.
• A colourless unstable liquid usually sold in dilute solution.
• A strong oxidising agent, used in rocket fuel and for bleaching hair, textiles and wood pulp.
• Kills the cells that produce the collagen required to heal piercings.
• Chemical formula H₂O₂.

Hypersensitivity

• A condition of abnormal or over sensitivity to a drug or other agent.
• e.g.
  For some people a bee sting can be fatal.