Piercing

Having a body piercing prevents you from donating blood for four months. Ear piercing is also considered to be body piercing.

This obstacle to donation is based on European regulations intended to reduce the risk of becoming exposed to blood-borne hepatitis C and B viruses and HIV in a piercing situation.

See also: tattoos and pigmenting

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).