The skin is the first line of defense against infection...

Piercing caused toxic shock, coroner says
Mar. 16, 2006. 01:36 PM
CANADIAN PRESS

ST. JOHN'S — Newfoundland's chief medical examiner has determined the sudden death of a teenage girl in St. John's last week, was due to toxic shock syndrome caused by a piercing.
Dr. Simon Avis says the primary infection site was the location of a breast piercing.
Avis says the piercing was done about a week before the 17-year-old died.
He says the teen had reported some discomfort to her friends a few days prior to becoming acutely ill.
Avis says the piercing was done in a "private setting", but an investigation concluded it conformed to industry standards.
However, he warns that if the piercing becomes infected, painful, red, swollen, or makes a person feel unwell, they should see a doctor.