Safepiercing.org

localized Piercing PimPle”
Piercings and X-rays, mris,
A single pustule occurs adjacent a piercing—often in a recurrent and caT scans
• Metal body jewelry will result in an opaque density on MRI and x-ray, symPToms:
but will not otherwise affect visibility on film • Metal body jewelry causes visible interference and should be removed for CAT scans if in the area of examination • Red and inflamed, but contained local y • Nipple piercings are unlikely to obstruct visibility of pathology on • May be tender, itch, or burn, though some are painless thoracic x-rays if both AP (or PA) and lateral views are taken • Secretes pus and/or blood when drained or popped • Appropriate body jewelry is non-magnetic, and as such does not need to be removed for MRI procedures unless it is located in the region TreaTmenT:
being examined (use a strong hand-magnet to test) • Even momentary removal of jewelry from a piercing can result in amazingly rapid closure of the channel, and make reinsertion difficult • Over-the-counter antihistamines can diminish itching and inflammation • Warm saline soaks or hot compresses several times daily; these • Non-metallic retainers can often be used to safeguard the patency of should be continued daily for two weeks after the problem seems a piercing; sterile tubing from a catheter needle can be used as an • Light localized massage may help break up the pocket and prevent * Please refer to the APP brochures: Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings (or Oral Piercings) for detailed information on the suggested • If recurrences continue, a culture may be needed to identify the invading microorganism so you can prescribe medication to target hyPergranulaTion Tissue
Excess granulation tissue is most common on piercings of navels, nostrils, outer labia, and the mucosal surface of lips--though it may TreaTmenT:
• The same treatments used on infants’ umbilical granulomas may
be used for piercing-related hypergranulation tissue: silver nitrate, electrocautery, or liquid nitrogen; a ligature technique can be used if • Some affected piercings do heal successfully, but if the problem proves intractable after treatment, the piercing should be Body Piercing
comPounded ProBlems
TrouBleshooTing
Disclaimer: The suggestions contained in this brochure are not to be considered a substitute for
Any one of the above problems can make additional or secondary medical advice from a doctor; they are simply intended to assist you and your healthcare provider in problems more likely; i.e. an al ergic reaction to a particular jewelry troubleshooting problematic piercings. The information is based on a combination of vast professional For you and
material or care product can make a piercee more vulnerable to experience, common sense, research, and extensive clinical practice, along with input from piercing- secondary infection. Multiple causes are sometimes responsible for friendly medical professionals. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly complications; i.e. il -fitting jewelry and poor aftercare. In addition, overall health and stress levels can impact the healing process and your healThcare
should be evaluated and dealt with as a potential cause for piercing Use of this brochure does not imply membership in the APP. A current list of APP members can be found at safepiercing.org. False claims of membership should be reported to the APP.
ProFessional
The APP logo is the trademark of the Association of Professional Piercers. This brochure is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ inaPProPriaTe aFTercare is one oF The mosT common
For The Piercee: choosing
causes oF a disTressed Piercing:
For The medical ProFessional:
a medical ProFessional
• Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens, harsh soaps, and/or TrouBleshooTing Piercing
ointment(s) are not appropriate products for the care of a healing ear
Medical personnel have tremendous knowledge of the human body ProBlems
but often do not have specific training about this unique form of body art. As a piercee, you may have more information about the suggested • Over-cleaning and using strong products can irritate piercings and delay A piercing is a unique type of wound because it is intentional, and care and maintenance of piercings than they do. It is up to you to make healing must take place around a foreign object. This information is intended to familiarize you with piercing complications you might certain that your chosen medical professional has access to facts that • Mild, non-iodized sea-salt or normal saline soaks and/or cleaning with a encounter, and the treatments found to be most efficacious.
liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap once or twice a day is suggested To save yourself from a bad experience, ask the fol owing questions before settling on a doctor or other practitioner. Is this healthcare in The evenT ThaT you diagnose a localized Piercing
• Rinsing with mild non-iodized sea salt and/or antimicrobial or inFecTion:
antibacterial alcohol-free mouthwash, 4-5 times a day is suggested for • Important: removing jewelry in the presence of an infection may result
in an abscess. Quality body jewelry or a retainer of an appropriate size, • Experienced in treating problem piercings? style, and material should be left in place so the infection can drain normal healing Piercings may have The Following
• Willing to consult with a trusted expert body piercer, or seek other characTerisTics:
• Isotonic saline soaks and/or hot compresses can encourage drainage resources for information about piercing? • Discoloration: reddish, brownish, pinkish, or purplish; can remain for • Bactroban (Mupirocin) cream or gel (not ointment) has been found to many months on navel, surface, and other piercings.
be effective for topical treatment of bacterial infections For The Piercee:
• Swelling/Induration: localized; may be significant with oral piercings such as the lip or tongue, and usually lasts for several days following when To see a docTor
If you experience a problem that is beyond the scope of your piercer, • Excretion: exudate of interstitial fluid, dead cells, etc. that forms a small the fol owing facts can assist you and your healthcare provider in amount of crystalline-appearing crust at the openings of the piercing; decision-making about the best care and treatment. should not be copious, malodorous, or green.
Visit a doctor immediately if you have problems with your piercing and oinTmenTs are noT PreFerred For ToPical TreaTmenT oF
Piercings:
• Experience severe redness, swelling, or pain from the piercing • They are occlusive and limit oxygen circulation to the area, which can delay healing of this type of wound.
• Have a large amount of discharge that is thick, green, yellow, or gray • They leave a sticky residue that makes cleaning the healing tissue • Have red streaks coming from from the piercing site conTacT dermaTiTis —
• If necessary, gels, creams, or other water-soluble products are • Take steroids or have a chronic illness or other health condition • Have symptoms that last for a week or get worse meTal allergy or ProducT
• Experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or disorientation sensiTiviTy
migraTion/rejecTion
A skin sensitivity or al ergy can be induced by a cleaning product or inferior jewelry that contains too much nickel or other irritating al oy If the jewelry moves closer to the surface or the tissue gets narrower For The Piercee and
between the openings of a piercing, this is termed “migration.” If the symPToms:
piercing migrates past a point of remaining viable or comes all the way The medical ProFessional:
to the surface, this is termed “rejection.” For safety and longevity, • Red, itchy rash surrounds the piercing or covers a large area (up to a piercing should have at least 5/16” inch (almost 8 mm) of tissue imPorTanT Piercing FacTs
between the entrance and exit holes.
• When piercings are properly performed and cared for, complications A body piercing should be abandoned if the tissue between the • The opening to the piercing may appear significantly larger than the such as irritation or allergy are far more common than infection.
entry and exit progressively gets smal er or thinner over time plus any • Tenderness, though sometimes there is no discomfort • Even momentary removal of jewelry from a piercing can result in rapid closure of the channel, and make reinsertion difficult or impossible. • The skin between the openings is flaking or peeling, red or inflamed, • Skin eruptions below the piercing (where soap suds run during bathing) clearly demonstrate contact dermatitis caused by a cleaning product • Simply taking out the jewelry may not resolve the problem, and if an infection is present, removal can lead to a more serious problem--the • There is 1/4” of tissue or less between the openings TreaTmenT:
• Just a thin filament of nearly transparent tissue is left, and the jewelry • Most piercing complications can be handled without the piercing being • Topical or oral benadryl or other antihistamine • Advise a change to a different jewelry material such as titanium, if nickel sensitivity is suspected, or an approved inert plastic. See the • Changing aftercare and/or jewelry size, style, or material often resolves APP brochure: Jewelry for Initial Piercings.
• Discontinue current care regimen in favor of a milder cleaning product

Source: http://www.safepiercing.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Troubleshooting_Web.pdf