Body Piercing
Caring for a new piercing
Source: NHS
In this topic (6)
To reduce the risk of your piercing becoming infected, good hygiene is important.
Always wash your hands and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel or kitchen roll before touching the area around the piercing.
Avoid fiddling with the area and don't turn the piercing. If a crust develops over the piercing, don't remove it it's the body's way of protecting the piercing.
The piercing may bleed when you first have it done, and it may bleed for short periods over the next few days. It may also be tender, itchy and bruised for a few weeks.
Cleaning the piercing
Keep the piercing clean by gently cleaning the area around it with a saline (salt water) solution twice a day, preferably after washing or bathing.
To do this, submerge the area in a bowl of saline solution (1/4 teaspoon of sea salt per egg cup of warm water) for a few minutes at a time. Alternatively, you can wet a clean cloth or gauze in the solution and apply it as a warm compress.
Washing the piercing can help soften any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points with a cotton bud or clean gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened, the jewellery can be gently moved to work a little warm water through the piercing.
When you've finished, carefully dry the area with a fresh piece of kitchen roll. Never use a shared towel.
These leaflets published by Public Health England (PHE) have more specific aftercare advice for differenttypes of piercing:
Articles for Body Piercing
Caring for a new piercing
To reduce the risk of your piercing becoming infected, good hygiene is important. Always wash your hands and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel or kitchen roll before touching the area around the
Introduction
Information and about body piercing, including self care advice, symptoms of infection, finding a reputable piercer, and the potential risks.
Licensed piercers
When choosing a piercer, make sure they've got a piercing licence. All professional piercers must obtain a licence from their local council in order to carry out piercings. The licence should be clea
Risks from piercings
Infection Bacterial infection is the main risk associated with piercings. An abscess (build-up of pus) may form around the piercing site which, if left untreated, may need to be surgically drained
Symptoms of an infected piercing
Signs of infection include: red and swollen skin around the piercing pain or tenderness when touching the area yellow or green discharge coming from the piercing a high temperature (fever)
When to get medical advice
Get medical advice immediately if you think your piercing may be infected. A delay in treatment can result in a serious infection. Contact your GP, call NHS 111 or go to a minor injuries unit or wal
