Body piercings have become the new norm, and with the new norm comes the need to learn how to prevent or treat infected piercings. No one wants an infected ear piercing, let alone an infected lip or nose piercing. According to a 2010 report from Pew Social Trends, "nearly one in four (millennials) have a piercing somewhere other than their earlobe." As the popularity of piercings increases, knowledge of proper post-piercing care is a must.
Since most of us have some type of metal or jewelry adorning our bodies, it's important that we know what to do in the event of a puncture emergency. There’s nothing more unbelievable than a red, itchy, pus-oozing open wound surrounding what should be a beautiful cartilage piercing. At the very least, it's not aesthetically pleasing. At best, this may be a sign of infection that will require antibiotics to treat.
It's worth noting that any reputable piercer will provide you with care instructions before you leave the piercing shop. If you follow these, you'll likely have a happy, healthy, healed piercing. If not, any reputable piercer can also call you if you don't know what to do next. Contacting a professional is always a good move.
But since you're already here, here are some tips on how to prevent a new piercing infection or fix the problem if one already occurs. But actually, give your piercer a call.
1. Keep your piercing happy
Take care of your nu-metal friends. The puncture site is essentially an open wound until healing is complete. Your first priority is to go to a clean, safe, reputable place to get the job done.
According to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), proper aftercare includes washing your hands thoroughly before touching the piercing, soaking the piercing in salt water for five to ten minutes at least once a day, and drying the piercing completely. Do not turn or rotate jewelry. For oral piercings, rinse with a sea salt solution or alcohol-free mouthwash after meals.
Do not over-clean the piercing or apply any makeup to the area until healing is complete. And be sure not to catch your new jewelry on any clothing. Ouch.
2. Understand the normal reactions to a new piercing
The Association of Professional Piercers says some leaking or bleeding is normal after piercing cartilage or skin. As long as the person with the piercing follows proper aftercare and is not experiencing significant pain, it is normal to see the following:
- localized swelling (especially of oral piercings) that can last for several days
- A clear, crystalline crust forms over the openings of dead skin cells
- minor bleeding, especially from genital piercings
- Discoloration of the skin around your belly button or superficial piercing, which may be red, brown, pink, or purple and may last for several months
If you're not sure if something is normal, pick up the phone and call your piercer. They can calm your nerves or tell you exactly how to treat a problem, depending on the problem and the progress of your recovery process.
3. Pay attention to metal allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to punctured metal are often mistaken for infections. New piercings should always be made using surgical steel, titanium, gold, niobium, platinum, biocompatible polymers, or (in some cases) glass.
According to the APP, common symptoms of sting allergy include:
- A red, itchy rash around the piercing (usually up to several inches around the insertion site)
- Piercings may appear much larger than jewelry
- Tenderness (even if not dull pain)
However, a rash underneath the piercing (where the soap comes into contact) usually means a reaction to the cleaning product rather than the metal.
To treat piercing-related allergies, the app recommends contacting a piercer or medical professional. Both may be recommended:
- Topical or oral antihistamines
- Let the piercer change the type of jewelry inserted
- Switch to gentler cleaning products
4. Watch for warning signs of abnormal reactions due to trauma
It is normal for healing to take time. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a belly button piercing can take up to nine months to fully heal (think of it as your jeweled treasure). While some discoloration or tenderness may not be a sign of a serious problem, a piercing is traumatic and can sometimes lead to infection even if you do it "right."
If you do get an infection, whether it's minor or severe, the main rule of thumb is not to remove the jewelry on your own . If it is removed, the external opening may close and cause an abscess. Not only is this extremely disgusting, but it can also be harmful to your health. Go to a piercer and consult with them.
If caught quickly enough, minor localized infections can be treated at home. According to the APP, signs of mild infection from trauma are:
- The skin is pink or red, may be swollen and warm to the touch
- local tenderness
- small amount of pus
- swollen lymph nodes
- Small red “piercing papules” appear around the piercing site
Your piercer or doctor may recommend similar measures for metal allergies. This includes:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to combat swelling and pain
- Salt water bath to keep piercing clean
- A light spot massage with clean hands may help break up the pocket and prevent it from returning
5. Stop reading now and call your doctor, stat, if:
If you think there is something wrong with your piercing, it is recommended that you contact a professional. However, according to the APP, it's especially important to contact your piercer or medical professional if you notice the following symptoms:
- There is excessive pus in the area, which is green, gray or yellow and has an odor.
- Chills, fever, dizziness, disorientation, vomiting, or nausea
- you have severe pain, redness, or severe swelling
- Red streaks at the insertion site
- Any reaction that seems unusual or lasts longer than a week
At the first sign of trouble, use common sense and knowledge of your body. It's better to have it checked out by a professional than risk a serious infection.
With this knowledge, you can safely treat any piercing. Now go get that metal.
This article was originally published on May 28, 2015. Updated and republished on June 25, 2019. Additional reporting by Katie Dupere.
