Body Piercing Infections

Body Piercing Jewelry Infections

It is important to do everything possible to avoid infection. Your risk of infection is small, if you conscientiously attend to the body piercing aftercare.

Infections are characterized by redness that continues to spread away from the body piercing. The infected area will be hot and sore to the touch, and the piercing will ooze greenish yellow pus.

If the body piercing is infected, clean twice daily with an antimicrobal cleanser and ensure that you don't touch the piercing or body jewelry except with thoroughly washed hands. Use an antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin, Mycitracin or Tri-Antibiotic for a few days.

A thin coat worked into the body piercing for a few days will help. Do not use antibiotic ointments for a prolonged period since they keep oxygen, a natural healing agent from reaching the piercing.

While rare, some people are allergic to the contents of some antibiotic ointments and thus could cause an allergic reaction on top of the infection. Remember use of antibiotic ointments should not be continued for more than a week.

If an infection does occur, removing the body jewelry will not necessarily end the infection. It may make matters worse by eliminating the passageway for the discharge of pus and matter. If possible, leave your body jewelry in when consulting your physician.

In summary, if a body piercing is not healing well, first check for an allergic reaction to the cleanser or to the body jewelry metal, second check for infection.