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Notable Notes
February 2013

Nose Piercing: Historical Significance and Potential Consequences

Author Affiliations

Author Affiliations: Departments of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Ladizinski), and Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Lee); and Department of Internal Medicine, Medstar Good Samaritan Center, Baltimore, Maryland (Dr Nutan).

JAMA Dermatol. 2013;149(2):142. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.1568

Nose piercing is the process by which a needle penetrates the nostril, nasal septum, or nasal bridge to create an opening for the placement of jewelry. The practice, which is performed for symbolic or beautification purposes, originated more than 4000 years ago in the Middle East, migrating to India in the 1500s and reaching Western civilization by the 20th century.1

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