Even With Meticulous Care Cartilage Piercings Become Infected About 30% Of The Time
One study followed a more than 450 nurses who pierced their ears. About 30% of high ear piercings, or piercings of the cartilage of the pinna/upper ear, become infected. In comparison only about 20% of ear lobe piercings become infected.
The good news is that the treatment for infected piercings is simple when caught early. If there is no pus draining and no firm pocket of pus in the ear that needs to be drained , infected ear cartilage can be treated with common oral antibiotics. Most infected ear piercings are caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and so you need an antibiotic that covers this bacteria, such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. Amoxcillin, Augmentin, and Keflex do not cover pseudomonas infections and are not the right drug to treat infected ear piercings.
When To Call A Doctor
How do you know when to call a doctor? The first thing you should check is the symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms, then it signifies you should contact a doctor:
- The clasp becomes implanted into your skin
- The infection worsens even after home treatment
- Redness and inflammation spread beyond the site
Care Tips For An Infected Navel Or Belly Piercing
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We have looked at symptoms, treatments, and how to clean an infected nave piercing. It is time look at some of the good care tips that can ensure you heal quickly.
- Ensure you loosely bandage your piercing site and wear loose clothing to avoid injuring your already infected belly piercing ring. This will minimize chances of injuries that can cause bleeding.
- Your cleanser choice is important if you do now want to irritate the piercing site. For instance, red bumps on the piercing site, you should switch to milder cleansers as it could be causing the irritation.
- Always use gold and titanium jewelry and avoid nickel since it often causes allergic reactions.
- Do not use a towel in cleaning to avoid the ring getting stuck in the towel.
- Avoid using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide since it can cause crusting and skin dryness.
- Always sleep with your back to avoid your clothing from sticking to or touching your infected piercing.
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When Should I See A Doctor For An Infected Piercing
If you think you may have an infection, especially if itâs a cartilage piercing, itâs important to see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid complications and get started on antibiotics, says Shannahan. Donât wait to see if an infected piercing will heal on its own, especially if you already see it worsening.
A doctor may recommend topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, or oral antibiotics, depending on infection severity. Infections can occur near the piercing site, but it can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical.
âIf an infected piercing isnât treated, it can lead to issues at the site like abscesses , scarring, or deformities. More commonly in body piercings than ear piercings, there can also be conditions that affect the entire body like blood or heart infections,â says Shannahan.
Pearls And Other Issues
Rare reports exist of other infections including but are not limited to hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and tetanus. Complications of local infections can have grave implications with reports of toxic shock syndrome due to Staphylococcus aureus and associated ear piercing, endocarditis from nasal a nasal piercing, Ludwig angina from an oral piercing, and abscess formation compromising a breast implant after a nipple piercing, all have documented case reports. For these reasons, it is necessary to identify and treat the localized infections to prevent severe and life-threatening complications.
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What Not To Do
There are some very important things to avoid when treating an infected piercing. These things may make the infection worse or slow down healing time.
Jewelry should not be removed from an infected piercing. The jewelry acts like a drain for the discharge caused by the infection.
If the jewelry is removed and the wound closes over while it is still infected, an abscess can form. Abscesses are more difficult to treat and make the infection much worse.
The jewelry may need to be changed in cases where the body is rejecting the metal, but it should usually not be removed completely.
It is also important not to use over-the-counter antibiotic creams. While these are good for minor scrapes and cuts, they can trap bacteria in a wound and make the infection worse.
When cleaning the infected area, avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can irritate the skin and cause additional symptoms. Perfumes, harsh soaps, and excess detergents should also be avoided around the infected area.
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How Do You Clean An Infected Ear Piercing
If the ear is infected from an earlobe piercing, clean around the area and take your time cleaning and rotating the earring. If the infection doesnt heal or is getting worse, call a healthcare professional. If there is an infection in the cartilage area from piercing, contact your healthcare provider so they can determine the severity of the infection and treat it.
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Using An Antibiotic With A Fresh Piercing
Using an ointment to prevent infection will improve the chances that the initial healing steps of a piercing will be completed without interference from infections by opportunistic micro-organisms. The more diligent the use, the less likely an infection will occur. Any topical antibiotic should be used for at least a week before stopping, and should not be used for more than two weeks . If, however, an infection does occur during this period, continuing to use the ointment is like locking the barn door after the horse is stolen. Discontinue use, and look after the infection.
To apply the antibiotic ointment, put a small amount on the jewelry. Use the jewelry is used to work it through to coat the inside of the piercing until the jewelry slides easily. After this is done, any excess antibiotic on the surface should be cleaned away so it does not gather dirt. This should be done each time the piercing is washed to replace the ointment previously applied that has been washed out by the soap.
Tips To Treat An Infected Nose Piercing
You can get an infection if you pierce your nose to put a ring on it. However, its easier to treat this ailment. This article will provide you with straightforward steps to treat the infection.
Piercing of the nose has become a trendy thing among the worlds younger populace. However, People have different preferences when it comes to a particular place to pierce. Some want it to be in the septum while most persons opt for the nostrils.
Piercing the nose to put on a ring gives a lot of swagger, but not until you catch an infection on the opening. So, read on to know how to treat an infected nose ring piercing.
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Infected Navel Piercing Rate Risks And Dangers
Contents
The location of the navel, being in a dark and damp place, infections can be common especially if your navel is very deep. You expect to sweet as well as various substances to be deposited on your navel piercing. Despite all these, the infected navel piercing rate is fairly high i.e. in American, navel piercing is the most common accounting for about 33%. Unfortunately, 31% of them have complications, 15.2% needed outpatient consultation, and 0.9% were even hospitalized for treatment.
In terms of risks, navel piercing is the next most risky piercing after the eye as the navel piercing hole can be a gateway for infections reaching your abdominal cavities. As steadyhealth.com reports, It is risky because needles used to pierce the skin can spread infections because the ring will always touch your clothing.
Furthermore, there are inherent risks of injuries, belly button piercing scars, keloid formation, piercing rejection, stretch from weight gain or pregnancy, among other minor discomforts.
How To Effectively Heal An Infected Nose Piercing
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
If you recently have had your nose pierced, you may want to know how to treat an infected nose piercing. Unfortunately, nose piercing infections are a common complication after getting a nose ring or stud. What was supposed to enhance your beauty can quickly become an unsightly infected hole that looks red, oozes fluid and pus, and possibly forms a scab or bump on your nose.
Infections can develop in nose piercings if bacteria or germs get into the piercing. There are a few reasons why infected piercings in the nose are common. For example, there are already a lot of bacteria in the nose that can infect the new hole. Also, many people are self-conscious of their new nose piercing and touch it often, thus spreading germs and dirt. This can cause a Staphylococcus bacterial infection in the wound.
Of course, the best way to deal with a nose piercing infection is to prevent any germs affecting the piercing in the first place. However, what can you do if you notice signs of a skin infection around the nose ring or stud?
In this article, you will find out how to quickly treat a nose piercing infection. This will help to prevent any infection getting worse and will get rid of the signs of an infected pierced nose fast. At the end of the article you will learn when you should see a doctor if the nose piercing infection looks bad.
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Herein Can I Put Neosporin On Nose Piercing Bump
To maintain a nose piercing: Dont apply over-the-counter antiseptics, including Neosporin. If you think your piercing is getting infected, continue your saline rinses and see your piercer for advice. Dont use hydrogen peroxide this will cause irritation in the piercing.
If you dont have these more serious symptoms, read on for five tips on how to resolve a nose piercing bump.
How To Treat A Minor Ear Piercing Infection
You may be able to take care of it at home with minor infections. However, seek medical treatment if youve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected. Oral antibiotics may be required as these infections can be difficult to treat. In severe infections, hospitalization may be necessary. To treat a minor infection, follow the steps below.1) Before treating your infection, wash your hands well.2) With a saltwater rinse, clean around the piercing 3 times a day. Be sure use a sterile saline or make it by mixing /4 tsp. of salt with 8 oz. of distilled water.3) Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or antibiotic ointments as they can impede the healing process and cause further skin irritation.4) Do not take out the piercing, otherwise, you risk letting the hole close and trap infection.5) On both sides of your earlobe, do not remove the piercing. With paper towels, pat the area dry. Do not use other materials or fibers can remain behind.6) Continue this cleaning regimen twice a day until the piercing is totally healed once the infection appears to have cleared. Routine care is vital during the 6-8 weeks of healing for an initial piercing.
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I Think My Piercing Is Infected What Should I Do
Infection will usually occur during the healing phase of the piercing, not necessarily as a result of the piercing process itself. Any type of surgical procedure, whether it is a tongue piercing or a kidney transplant, carries a risk of infection even if sterile technique is followed carefully. Good hand-washing is essential for the prevention of infection.
Common symptoms of infection include:
- Pain and tenderness
- Excessive redness around the piercing
- Prolonged bleeding
- Discharge of yellow or green pus
- A change in your skin colour around the piercing area
- Area will feel hot to the touch
Moist heat is best for promoting healing of an infected piercing, so a warm, wet salt-water hot-compress applied to the area would be appropriate. Even more care must be taken with hand-washing and avoiding manipulation of the jewellery. Sheets and clothing in contact with the area should be changed at least daily. Promote circulation and a healthy immune system with good nutrition, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking. This is extremely important, if not essential to the healing process.
Inexpensive And Wrong Jewelry
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Secondly, some people suffer from allergic reaction that often lead to more serious infection due to the use of wrong jewelry. Nickel for instance has been noted to cause allergic reaction to many people. Ensure you only use jewelry made from stainless steel, gold or titanium. Furthermore, avoid going for a post that is too tight or loose.
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Preventative Steps To Avoid A Nose Piercing Infection
Weve all heard the saying: an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure Its popular because its true! While infections are a large risk, every step you take to prevent can help keep them at bay.
The first step is to know and trust your piercer. Hygiene practices in a piercing parlour are imperative to protecting yourself. Your piercer should be more than willing to explain everything their parlour does to mitigate that risk– such as using sealed packs of hollow point needles instead of a piercing gun.
Ensure that you follow all of your piercers aftercare instructions and feel free to do some extra research beforehand. Keep your saline solution handy, or whip up a batch of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt to make your own saltwater solution for cleaning.
Before caring for your piercing, always wash your hands. Dont use anything that can leave fibres, like cotton swabs– instead, use a medicine dropper or just pour the water over the piercing site. You can use a dry paper towel to dab up the solution.
What Should You Clean Your Nose Piercing With
Your piercer will recommend a saline rinse to use at least twice per day. You may also consider using your own DIY sea salt rinse, or even tea tree oil if your nose is especially tender. Youll also want to make sure you leave the original jewelry in place until the piercing heals.
Treating the infection at home
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Can I Put Hydrocortisone On My Piercing
If your ear irritation seems more like an allergic reaction than a full-blown infection, Shah suggests removing the earring, then using a gentle cleanser to cleanse the ear twice a day. You can also try applying an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and a healing ointment such as Aquaphor or Cicalfate.
In Addition An Ointment Is Greasy And Clogs The Pores This Means That The Wound Of The Piercing Can Still Not Heal Properly And Dirt Can Also Easily Stick To The Wound
It is also true that locally applied antibiotics can lead to an allergic reaction with allergic contact eczema as a result. Other possible side effects include itching, rash, redness, swelling, irritation, contact eczema and a burning, pricking or tingling sensation of the skin. The skin can also start to scab as a result of the locally applied antibiotics.
Should there still be an infection, then an antibiotic is often required. With piercings it is much more effective to take antibiotics orally in the form of tablets or capsules. Should it still have to be administered locally for faster functioning, then preferably in the form of a gel.
The difference between the different ways of administration:
- An ointment is made with a greasy base. This is especially suitable for dry skin.
- A cream is less greasy and absorbed faster through the skin. This is for example pleasant when used in the face.
- A gel is not greasy, easily absorbed and dries quickly.
- A capsule or tablet works from the inside so that the wound is not disturbed any further.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- How will I know when the infection has cleared?
- When is it safe to remove my earrings?
- Do I need to clean my earrings?
- Can my ears get infected even after the piercing heals?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Getting your ears pierced is most often a safe, simple procedure. Be sure to go to an experienced piercer who practices proper hygiene procedures. Keep your new piercings clean, and dont remove the earrings until the piercing has healed completely. Be patient by preventing an infection now, you can enjoy your healthy piercing for years to come.
Reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional.
References
Regarding This Do Antibiotics Help Ear Piercing Infection
As long as your infection is minor, you may be able to take care of it at home. If youve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected, seek medical treatment. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Significant infections of the cartilage can require hospitalization.
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