General Care for Body Piercings
Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. (Both slow the healing of pierced area by drying and killing new healthy cells.) Do not use bacitracin or other ointments.
Besides, how do you clean an infected ear piercing?
Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection:
- Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing.
- Clean around the piercing with a saltwater rinse three times a day. …
- Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments. …
- Don’t remove the piercing.
Just so, how do you disinfect a piercing?
Do
- choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer.
- clean your piercing twice a day.
- use warm, salty water to soften any crusting.
- gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing.
- use a clean paper towel to dry the piercing.
- gargle with salty water or an alcohol-free mouthwash if you have a mouth piercing.
What can I put on an infected piercing?
Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
What to use to clean new piercings?
Clean with a clean cotton pad or swab dipped in salt solution. You can make this solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Use this around the pierced area a few times a day to remove any bacteria. Dab (don’t wipe) the piercing.
What does an infected ear piercing look like?
An infected ear piercing may be red, swollen, sore, warm, itchy or tender. Sometimes the piercing oozes blood or white, yellow or greenish pus. A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal.
What saline solution is good for piercings?
Make sure you look for a solution that has no preservatives and is labeled as an “iso-tonic saline” or “0.9% sterile solution.” Avoid saline solutions that are meant to be used for nasal irrigation and contact lens solution, as they contain preservatives that could irritate your piercing.
How long does it take for an infected piercing to heal?
Minor pierced ear infections can be treated at home. With proper care, most will clear up in 1 to 2 weeks.
What happens if infection gets trapped in piercing?
“When bacteria gets trapped in the piercing hole, it can have a hard time finding its way out. It can then multiply and create an infection,” said dermatologist Marina Peredo. Once your piercing heals fully, it’s less likely to get infected, but that doesn’t mean you’re totally in the clear.
Is my piercing infected or irritated?
According to Thompson, the telltale signs of an infection are simple: “The area around the piercing is warm to the touch, you notice extreme redness or red streaks protruding from it, and it has discolored pus, normally with a green or brown tint,” Thompson says.
Should I take my piercing out if its rejecting?
The takeaway
Migration and rejection are some complications that can result from a new piercing. If you suspect something is wrong, take out your jewelry and talk with your piercer. A new piece of jewelry is often enough to stop migration and prevent rejection.