ANYONE who has recently had body piercings and piercing studios are being warned about an unsafe cleansing spray.

The product - a 100ml bottled aftercare saline spray manufactured by Lion Care Products Ltd - has been linked to cases of serious infection.

It has been provided by piercing studios in many parts of the country. 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 are ongoing and Public Health England (PHE) 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.

The cases have occurred in people where piercings were undertaken between mid-July and late August 2016. However, there may be other more recent cases which have not yet been reported.

PHE advice on aftercare following body piercings is to follow the guidelines provided by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.