Public Health England (PHE) is warning people who have recently had body piercings about an unsafe cleansing spray provided by piercing studios across the country for after-care use, which may cause severe infection.

PHE is strongly advising people to stop using the product and, if concerned they may have an infection, to seek medical help urgently.

The product, linked to cases of serious infection, has been provided by piercing studios in many parts of the country.

It is a 100ml bottled after-care saline spray and is manufactured by Lion Care Products Ltd. However, there is no consistent brand or label being used on the product. Some labels, using only black and white lettering, will have the manufacturer’s trading name, Body Art Supplies, or may carry the Lion Care name; other studios’ labels will use neither, but possibly just their own studio name or brand on the label. If unsure, people should stop using the spray immediately and return it to their local studio.

The spray may be linked to 26 cases of a severe infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, across England. Investigations to confirm this link are carrying on and PHE say experts continue to monitor for further cases.

To date all have been ear infections, with the majority of cases occurring in the East Midlands and South East of England. However, the product is known to have been distributed widely across England therefore more cases are likely.