Saturday, July 30, 2011

is my piercing....

*NONE OF WHAT I SAY HERE SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS ADVICE FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.  IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE AN INFECTION......SEE A DOCTOR.*

Infection Vs. Irritation

The Question:  How do I know if my piercing is infected??


The Answer:
What many people think is an infection may actually be an irritation to the piercing from outside sources.  If you have a new piercing that is going through the healing process, you may see things such as swelling, discharge and dried, crusted matter- don't panic!  


Infections can be caused by poor hygiene, contact with bacteria (stop touching it!), or overall bad quality of jewelry (you get what you pay for in life). 


Some warning signs of infection: 
*Warm to the touch at piercing site
*Running a fever
*Colored discharge


Irritations can be a result of bumping the piercing, body wash, soap, or shampoo (make sure you properly rinse these away if they come in contact).  Again, poor polish and overall bad quality jewelry are other contributors to this.   

Some signs of irritation:
*Crust
*Discharge
*Swelling and/or redness


Remember: It is important to communicate with your piercer before, during and after you have your piercing done so that you will be properly informed as to what you may expect during your healing period.  Also, know your body - if you think you may have an infection, your best bet is to visit a Medical Professional.  

From the Anatometal Newsletter by Heather.  

No comments:

Post a Comment