A YORK mother has called for changes to the way body piercing shops are governed after she suffered complications following two belly button piercings.

Mother-of-four Debbie Craine, 34, says three piercings, two of which were she says were not done properly, have left her belly button looking like "spaghetti junction."

Debbie, of Ouseburn Avenue, Acomb, says the first piercing made her stomach sore and itchy before growing out when she became pregnant. A second piercing grew out as well, leaving a scar.

She says customers, especially young people, should be better informed of what to expect from a professional piercer as well as how to care for their piercing.

Her call follows an explosion in the number of businesses offering fashionable body piercing services in the city over the past year, with two new stores opening in the past few weeks alone.

Although skin piercing services such as ear piercing, tattooing and acupuncture must be registered with the council, there is no such requirement for body piercing.

Environmental health officers say there is a risk of infection or injury for customers and workers at body piercing shops if safe practices are not followed.

Debbie is having a fourth piercing done at 21st Century Body Art, in Walmgate, which opened last week, and expects it will put her belly button right once and for all.

"If you have it done properly in the first place there is no need to go through so much pain or be left with a nasty scar," she says.

Experienced piercer Rebecca Nicholas, who owns 21st Century, says people should be more aware of the dangers of body piercing and that legislation should be brought in to protect customers.

"It is important that people do realise that piercers do not necessarily have any training and that some are basically cowboys."

Environmental health officer Dawn Webster says some piercings amount to "minor surgery" and that she is anxious to see some specific legislation or a system of compulsory licensing introduced.

Body piercers who carry out piercings other than to ears still have to comply with workplace health and safety regulations, she adds.

John Archibold, of York Body Piercing Clinic, in Micklegate, says he would welcome fresh legislation and a recognised qualification for body artists.

Andrew Clark, of XES, in Goodramgate, which has a small piercing studio run by an experienced worker, says his piercer is "meticulous" about her work.

But he says: "I could start piercing people tomorrow and there's nothing to stop me doing it apart from the fact I would pass out."

Advice is available about skin piercing from the Health and Safety Enforcement Team on 01904 551525.

chris.greenwood@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:04 Thursday, December 05, 2002