Body piercings : Precautions & Aftercare

Piercing has become a rage among all kinds of people today - from teenagers to grown up art enthusiasts, body piercing has become wildly popular as a bold fashion statement. 

But as all kind of body treatments are considered, piercing requires it's own aftercare and demands a lot of attention .

All piercings require special care, and some require more care than others. 

so, let's take a look at these aftercare tips :-

Do’s of Aftercare Body Piercing:

• The first and primary concern of aftercare body piercing is that, you need to take the proper guidelines from your piercer about the cleaning procedures depending on the piercing.

• You should clean your new piercing twice a day with anti-bacterial soap and warm water.Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for a few minutes for better cleaning.

• You should also clean your piercing if it gets wet or dirty during the day.Keep pierced area free of chemicals such as perfume, hair spray or hair gel.

• Add about half a teaspoon of salt in a clean cup of recently boiled water, allow it to cool down to luke warm, then take a clean cotton bud, dip it in the salt water, and gently and carefully clean around your body jewellery.

                1. First wet the crust or the debris formed on piercing, and then clean thoroughly and carefully.

                2. Dry your piercing after cleaning. Do not dry with a towel, which may get entangled and pull on the jewelry and may also carry bacteria.

                 3. After cleaning don’t forget to apply an ointment prescribed by your piercer.
 

                4. Take a sea salt soak immediately after cleaning your piercing. This aids in the healing process and enhances the body’s natural ability to heal and fight infection.

• It is always advisable to wear loose fitting clothes made of non-irritating material such as cotton for body piercing.

                1.In case of navel piercing, it is advisable to wear low cut or hip hugger style jeans than high cut jeans which, causes a constant source of pressure and irritation to the piercing.

Don’ts of Aftercare Body Piercing:

• Avoid alcohol before and after getting pierced. Avoid alcohol till the wound is completely healed.

• If your fingers are dirty, don’t touch it.

• Avoid entanglements of your new pierced jewellery with your clothes and be very careful not to get it caught on any other things especially if you have a ring.

             1. Do not hold a public telephone against a newly pierced ear.

             2. Clean your telephone frequently with a disinfectant.

• Avoid getting make-up into/onto facial piercing.

• Don’t change your body jewellery until your piercing heals completely.Earrings should not be removed or changed for at least a month, and should be worn continually for the first 4 to 6 months. Other piercing sites may require more specific care.

• The presence of chlorine in pools and hot tubs irritate and retard the healing of a new piercing, so carefully avoid it.Pools and hot tubs are a source of bacteria which lead to infection.

                1. So it is better to avoid bath in pools and hot tubs till the healing is ok.

                2. After showering, rinse the pierced area with clear water to remove soap or shampoo residue.

• If it becomes necessary for you to remove the piercing, then the best thing to do is to go to a professional to have it taken out.

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Cleansing Solutions for Piercing Care

The piercing salon may sell an ear care antiseptic for you to use for cleansing.

• The active ingredient is usually benzalkonium chloride, which is the same active ingredient which is in Bactine. 

• Harsh full-strength solutions such as peroxide or bactine not only kill germs but can also destroy new healing tissue, so be sure that you dilute these solutions with 3 parts water to 1 part antiseptic solution. 

Alcohol is usually not recommended for cleansing new piercings because it is too harsh and can destroy new healing tissue. 

What To Do If an Infection Develops

• If signs of infection (increased redness, tenderness, heat, swelling) occur in a piercing that is through cartilage, seek medical treatment with antibiotics immediately. 

             1. An infection of a piercing in cartilage may form a permanent swollen lump (keloid) on the ear.

• Mild infections of the ear lobe (soft tissue) may be treated with proper cleansing and the local use of antibiotic ointment daily for one to two weeks. 

             1. Jewelry should be left in to allow drainage of exudate. If no improvement, medical evaluation and treatment is recommended.

• If you have a nasal piercing and signs of infection (increased redness, tenderness, heat, swelling) occur, you must seek medical care immediately. Infection of nasal piercings can spread to the brain and cause serious complications.

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