A new piercing creates a wound that needs time and appropriate care to heal. Mild tenderness, swelling and a small amount of pale crust can be normal at first. Increasing pain, heat, spreading redness or pus may indicate infection.
Before getting a piercing
Choose an experienced professional who follows local licensing and infection-control requirements. The studio should use sterile single-use needles, clean equipment and appropriate jewelry. Piercing guns can cause more tissue trauma and should not be used for cartilage or most body piercings.
Tell the piercer about allergies, medications, pregnancy, bleeding problems, diabetes, immune conditions or a tendency to form raised scars. Nickel can cause allergic contact dermatitis, so ask about implant-grade jewelry materials suitable for a healing piercing.
Basic aftercare
- Wash your hands before touching the piercing.
- Follow written aftercare instructions from a reputable piercer.
- Clean gently with commercially prepared sterile saline when recommended. Avoid harsh antiseptics unless a healthcare professional advises them.
- Pat the area dry with clean disposable paper and do not pick away crusts.
- Avoid unnecessary touching, twisting, pulling and friction from clothing, headphones or bedding.
- Avoid swimming or submerging a new piercing while it is healing, particularly in pools, hot tubs, lakes and other water that may contain microorganisms.
Healing time varies by location and individual. Cartilage, nose and navel piercings often take considerably longer to heal than earlobe piercings. Do not change jewelry before the piercing is sufficiently healed unless a qualified professional recommends a change.
What to avoid
Do not routinely clean a healing piercing with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or undiluted essential oils because these products can irritate tissue. Avoid applying cosmetics, creams or hair products directly to the site.
If infection is suspected, do not remove the jewelry on your own unless a healthcare professional advises it. Jewelry that is embedded, too tight or cutting into the skin needs prompt professional assessment.
Signs of infection
Possible signs include worsening pain, increasing warmth or swelling, spreading redness or discoloration, thick yellow or green drainage, an unpleasant odor, fever or feeling unwell. Cartilage infections can become serious and may damage the shape of the ear if treatment is delayed.
A bump around a piercing is not always an infection. Irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, scar tissue and other conditions can look similar, so persistent changes should be assessed rather than treated repeatedly with home remedies.
Oral piercings
Tongue and lip piercings can cause swelling, infection, chipped teeth, gum damage and other oral problems. Maintain careful oral hygiene and follow appropriate aftercare instructions. Seek urgent help if swelling interferes with breathing or swallowing.
When to get medical care
Arrange prompt medical assessment if infection is suspected, symptoms are worsening, drainage is thick or foul-smelling, jewelry becomes embedded, or an infected piercing involves ear cartilage. Treatment may include antibiotics and, in some cases, drainage.
Contact local emergency services for difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly increasing tongue or neck swelling, fainting, confusion or another life-threatening symptom. Seek urgent care for fever with rapidly spreading redness, severe pain or rapidly worsening swelling.
This information is general and does not replace individual advice from a qualified healthcare professional or experienced licensed piercer.