After care advice for your new piercing
Your new piercing has involved breaking the surface of the skin and there is a possibility that, if not cared for properly, your piercing may become infected. By following the advice provided here you will be reducing the chance of anything going wrong with your piercing.
What to expect from your piercing
It is normal for most piercings to bleed slightly at first, but this should last no more than a few minutes – this may happen a few times over the first few days but should not be continuous and should not be heavy – if this happens you should seek medical advice immediately.
Everyone heals at different rates and some piercings take longer than others to heal. The following list gives an idea of the estimated healing times for different piercings but yours may take more or less time to heal completely.
Your new piercing may be itchy, tender and slightly red for some time – in some cases, a clear, odourless fluid may come from the site and form a crust. This is part of the natural healing process.
General rules about your piercing
Minimise the chance of germs getting into your piercing:
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Don't touch your piercing for at least a couple of days
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Don't pick at, or play with your piercing
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Don't allow anyone else to touch your piercing
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Don't use your finger nails to move the jewellery
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Wash and dry your hands when handling either the site or the jewellery
Try not to aggravate your piercing:
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Avoid wearing tight clothing around your piercing
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Keep waistbands away from navel piercings
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Try to avoid rigorous exercise until your piercing heals
For tongue piercings:
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Try to avoid hot spicy foods for the first few days
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Try to eat soft foods for the first few days
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Gradually work your way up to tougher foods
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Sucking on ice/drinking ice water might help reduce swerlling
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Use a new toothbrush to prevent bacteria infecting your piercing
Keeping your piercing clean:
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Clean piercing twice daily. Clean with warm pre-boiled water or sterile saline solution - use a fresh pack and a fresh cotton bud every time you clean the site. Make sure your hands are clean.
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Turn your piercing 1-2 daily when you clean the piercing - soak off any crust that may have formed before you start to turn any jewellery. Don't pick off at any crust when you're not cleaning the jewellery, as it prevents your site from becoming infected.
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If possible, use tissue to handle jewellery rather than your hands. Keep your piercing dry after cleaning- pat dry with a clean tissue. Avoid using towels and don't use towels that other people have been using.
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For tongue piercings, use half strength mouthwash (diluted with water) after eating, drinking or smoking until the piercing is fully healed.
Cleaning Solution
As your piercer will already have advised you, there are a number of things that could go wrong with your new piercing if it is not cared for properly.
Localised Infection
- If aftercare advice is not followed correctly, infection may occur on the site of your piercing.
- If you suffer from any of the following after having your piercing you should speak to your piercer, or seek medical assistance in an emergency: Swelling and redness that increases or lasts more that a week or so after the piercing – A burning or throbbing sensation at the site
- Increased tenderness, painful to touch
- An unusual discharge (yellow or green) with an offensive smell
Contact Us
Address
68 Seagate, Dundee, DD1 2EN
Telephone
01382 203762
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