Body piercings – Infection vs. rejection

It’s no surprise that one of the most common complications when receiving a body piercing is the chance of infection or rejection.

The human body is always finding ways to protect itself from foreign objects and possible harm. In some cases, the body may consider a new piercing to be a foreign object that needs to be dispelled rather than healed. This is when rejection takes place.

If your piercing is being rejected, you’ll notice a shift in the location of the jewellery, possible skin flaking or discolouration, as well as irritation. It must then be decided whether you’ll simply have the piercing removed or if a new piece of jewellery could cause less trauma. Discuss this with your piercing professional and your doctor for more information.

Infection is another major cause for concern.

If you’ve recently been pierced, you may have a few questions regarding infection on your mind.

What does an infected body piercing look like?

Once infection has set in, you’ll notice soon enough as there will be a number of tell-tale signs. Intense pain, redness, bleeding, swelling, and a fever are a few of the most common signs. You may also experience puss or oozing, a bad smell, and a rash around the infected area.

How can I medically treat an infected piercing?

Your number one priority once you suspect that you have a piercing infection is to head straight to a doctor. Depending on the severity of the infection and the placement of the piercing, your doctor may either prescribe antibiotics¹⁰ or request that the piercing be removed before continuing to treat you.

Can you take care of an infected piercing at home?

Potentially. Depending on the type of infection, it may be treated using over-the-counter ointments and heat packs. This should only be considered when treating superficial infections (or infections that only affect the outer layers of skin). If the infection seems to spread or become worse in any way, always seek medical help sooner rather than later.