A TEENAGER is warning other young-sters of the dangers of having sensitive parts of the body pierced.

Daniel Spacagna, of Hazel Close, Colden Common, almost lost his eye after it became infected days after he had his eyebrow pierced in July.

The infection was irritating at first. Then his eyelid blew up to the size of an egg, and he only just got it treated in time.

Daniel, 16, said: "The eye specialist told me I was a very lucky young man. The quality of the metal caused the infection.

"I just want to warn anyone else getting a part of their body pierced to make sure they get it done properly, with a quality metal."

Daniel, a chef, lost several days' earnings as a result of the infection, as he was not allowed in the kitchen.

He added: "I've wasted £15 having it done, had to pay for medicine and lost a weekend's wages.

"It's annoying, but at least my eye is all right now."

A spokesmen from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital where Daniel was treated said: "It's important for people to go to a reputable establishment if they have a part of their body pierced.

"And if that operator is reputable, they should state the importance of keeping the pierced area clean and sterilised afterwards."

A spokesman for Crazy Hogs tattoo and piercing shop, Eastleigh, where Daniel had the operation done, said: "We always use metal of the highest quality and we've had no problems before.

"When a customer has something pierced we give out a leaflet explaining how they should look after it and we also tell them to pop in if they have a problem.

"The metal we buy is of the top grade and totally sterilised."

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