Treating and Avoiding Body Piercing Infections
Infection is a danger whenever we get pierced. While it's not a significant risk, infections do happen, since a piercing is a wound in the body. However, treating your piercing carefully and using the right aftercare can seriously reduce the danger of an infection. If you do get one, taking care of it correctly could mean the difference between keeping and losing your new mod. Here are a few tips to help you avoid or deal with a body piercing infection. |
| Treating and Avoiding Body Piercing Infections |
1. Have your piercing performed by a professional. Prevention is the best cure when it comes to body piercing infections. That means finding a good piercer who you trust and making sure that he or she uses clean sterile techniques and instruments. If you feel nervous about what's going on, don't go through with the piercing. There's always time to find a new piercer or studio.
2. Follow your piercer's instructions. You'll probably receive a written sheet with information on caring for your new piercing. While it might seem like this sort of care isn't necessary, don't skip anything! The right aftercare will help you avoid a body piercing infection and the discomfort that comes with it.
3. See your piercer regularly. This is usually free and is a good way to make sure everything's healing okay. Just drop by and talk to your piercer about how the mod is healing. If there's something wrong, you'll find out right away and learn what to do about it.
4. Know the signs of infection. If you see an unusual amount of redness, the piercing is especially painful, or a lot of bleeding or discharge occurs, you may have an infection. Pay close attention to your body and what it's telling you about the condition of your new modification. As soon as you see signs that indicate a problem, take action - allowing an infection to progress is not just a bad idea. In some cases, it can be dangerous.
5. Keep the piercing site and jewelry clean, especially if you think you have an infection. Don't handle the piercing with dirty hands, and be sure to keep your hair, clothing, and other objects away from a fresh body piercing. They can all promote body piercing infections and may jar or irritate the tissue surrounding the jewelry. Don't let other people touch your piercing, either.
Getting your piercing done correctly the first time, then taking care of it are the keys to making sure that you'll successfully keep your new mod. Keep all piercings clean and care for them well, according to your piercer's instructions. Body piercing infections aren't something you want to mess with if you can avoid them since they increase the chance that you'll lose your mod, and in rare cases can even mean a hospital visit. Be smart, and prevent infections before they can begin.
