Infections are rare in body piercings done by professionals and taken care of properly by the client. However, they still do exist, and it is important to recognize the symptoms of both healthy and unhealthy piercings so that any potential problems can be addressed quickly and properly. A common occurrence during the healing process is the secretion of a whitish-yellow substance which forms a crust.
Often, antibiotics are only necessary when the infection has spread, causing cellulitis. If you suspect an infection, be sure to leave your jewelry in, as this provides a means by which the piercing can drain itself. It may be advisable to begin your aftercare regimen again, in addition to which you may add moist heat and warm sea salt solutions.
It is important to remember that while pus is not usually a sign of infection, it will be present at one. Pus is made up of, among other things, dead white blood cells and is present at both an infection and sometimes at an inflammatory response. An inflammatory response is the body’s natural response to a piercing, tattoo, etc. In addition to white blood cells, your body also sends histamines to the site of the piercing. Histamines widen your blood vessels so that white corpuscles can get through in enough quantities to adequately protect you from infection. This increased flow can cause temporary heat and itchiness at the piercing site.
Once the white blood cells have stabilized, the piercing site new skin cells begin to encase your piercing, closing the wound and blocking access to your body. Taking care of your new piercing is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a smooth healing process without irritation or infection. If you are currently having issues with your piercing, consistently keeping up with proper aftercare can help eliminate any irritation you have.
Piercing Aftercare and Sebum
PurSan was designed specifically for piercings and body art and is a highly recommended aftercare cleanser. After cleaning, gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel or let the area air dry.
For oral piercings, the most important thing is using clean water to rinse after you eat, drink, and/or smoke (though smoking is not recommended during your healing process). Gently rinse away any crusty material with either non-woven gauze or a clean paper towel, and pat the area dry.
The time required for your piercing to heal completely varies from person to person. However, surface anchors may take between 4-6 months for the initial healing process, while surface bars will take upwards of 6 months to a year to fully heal.
Complications and Rejection
Sleeping on your new piercing, especially with surface anchors, can cause added pressure that may lead to rejection. Wearing inferior quality jewelry or metals can also cause problems.
If you have any problems with healing, consistent aftercare can help. For a surface anchor aftercare routine, sea salt soaks are recommended once daily. After the total of 10 minutes, thoroughly rinse your piercing with clean water, gently brush away any crusty material with either non-woven gauze or a clean paper towel, and pat the area dry. This container is good for up to 1 month.
Because surface bar piercings have an entrance and exit point, they can be removed the same way any other piercing is. Surface anchor piercings are placed under the skin and have no exit point, so their removal process is different. Scarring after a piercing is removed depends on how well the piercing was taken care of before and after the removal process. Surface anchors have a high rate of rejection; your body can see the jewelry as a foreign object and slowly push it out of your skin as it would a splinter. These piercings can slowly migrate to the surface of the skin.
Symptoms of rejection can include redness, swelling, tenderness, and persistent gooey discharge. If you notice one side of your surface anchor’s “foot” is raised more than the other, or if your piercing has a significant “tilt” to one side or another, your piercing may be rejecting. If you suspect your surface anchor is rejecting, please visit a professional for removal as soon as possible to minimize scarring.
You are pierced with jewelry slightly longer to allow for swelling. In addition, if piercings are accidentally slept on with the longer post or bar, there is constant pressure that can cause the piercing angle to change and the jewelry to not sit straight. Sleeping on a fresh piercing can be extremely painful and can cause the piercing to change angles while it is healing. Using a travel neck-pillow can help alleviate this.
Sea Salt Soaks and Solutions
To prepare a sea salt soak, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of distilled or bottled water. A stronger solution does not mean a better solution or a quicker heal. Mix a new sea salt solution with every single cleaning. Do your sea salt soaks on opposite ends of the day to your cleaning so you do not dry out your piercing. Ensure you aren’t doing them too few or too many times a day. Salt water, or sterile saline, is the only additional product (other than the cleanser and water) suggested for piercing care.
A general rule of thumb is: If you can’t put it in your eye, don’t put it in your piercing!
Bleeding, bruising, discoloration, and/or swelling is not uncommon with new piercings and are not indications of any complication. Reducing intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine can help decrease swelling. Some tenderness, soreness, or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, or aching on and off for several days or longer.
This fluid is fairly liquid, typically a whitish-yellow color, and forms a crust on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. Once healed, your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of “ups and downs” during healing, seeming healed and then regressing. Tightness is normal.
Seam/continuous rings will not be used until the piercing is fully healed, at about 1 year, where the ends of the ring meet.
Persistent Sebum Discharge from Old Piercings
Persistent sebum discharge and odor from old piercing tracts, even after jewelry removal, can be a concern. This can occur because the piercing canal may remain open, allowing gland secretions to accumulate. Maintaining hygiene by gently cleaning with a saline solution can help reduce odor.
If the tract does not close naturally over time or if signs of infection appear, consulting a healthcare provider or dermatologist is advisable. In some cases, minor surgical closure of the tract may be necessary to resolve persistent symptoms.