Avoid letting anyone else touch your pierced area since they could introduce bacteria.
Depending on the piercing, you may be able to dip the piercing directly into a cup of saline solution. For example, if you have a finger piercing, submerge your finger in the saline so the piercing is covered.
Avoid using soaps with scents, dyes, colors, or triclosan since these will irritate the skin. If the piercing is on your ear, remember to wash behind the piercing as well.
Don’t use cloth towels because they can become caught or snagged on the jewelry.
Wash your piercing after you shower since water will already be getting around the site of the piercing.
You don’t need to turn or twist the jewelry as the piercing is healing. Rotating the jewelry may actually irritate the skin and slow the healing.
Avoid using antibacterial soaps or disinfectants that container benzalkonium chloride (BZK).
Depending on where the piercing is located, clean your cell phone, headphones, glasses, or hats.
Earlobes: 3 to 9 weeks Ear cartilage (such as tragus, conch, industrial, rook, or orbital piercings): 6 to 12 months Nostril: 2 to 4 months Oral: 3 to 4 weeks Lips: 2 to 3 months Navel: 9 to 12 months Genitals: 4 to 10 weeks
Yellow discharge, green discharge, or blood High fever Redness, swelling, or a hot sensation Persistent itchiness Bad odor
If you or your piercer suspects a severe infection, visit your doctor. The doctor or dermatologist will take your medical history, do a physical exam, and decide the best treatment for you. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Don’t be afraid to go to the emergency room if you think you have a severe cartilage infection. These are trickier to treat and can cause more complications than other piercings.
If your allergic reaction is severe, you may have to remove the jewelry and let the hole close. Once the skin heals, you can re-pierce the site, but use a metal you’re not allergic to. Even jewelry that is labelled “hypoallergenic” can contain nickel or cause allergic reactions. You should also avoid stainless steel jewelry, which contains nickel.
