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When Can I Remove or change the Jewelry?
Your piercing will not be completely healed for several years.
Even after the piercing has healed, reinsertion can be difficult
and sometimes impossible.
Jewelry should not be changed during the initial healing period,
usually about 6-10 months. Be sure to always wear appropriate
jewelry in your piercings, even when fully healed. Jewelry designed
just for earlobes is never appropriate, and can damage your piercing.
If you must remove the jewelry temporarily, call your piercer,
or use an insertion taper lubricated with a little antibiotic
ointment to insert a piece of uncolored monofilament nylon. Weed-eater
or fishing line work well. 160 lb test is equivalent to 14-12
gauge. This will retain the piercing until you can reinsert the
jewelry.
It's no problem to permanently remove the jewelry. In most cases,
only a small indentation will remain. We encourage you to call
your piercer. S/he will be happy to assist you.
Do I Have an Infection?
Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi, or other
living pathogens.
Piercing infections can usually be traced to one of the following
activities:
*Touching the piercing with unwashed hands, or letting someone
else touch the piercing
*Oral contact with the piercing, including your own saliva
*Allowing body fluids to contact the piercing (your urine is sterile
to your own body)
Contact with hair, cosmetics, oils, infrequently washed clothing
or bedding or other agents
*Going into a pool, hot tub, lake, ocean, or other body of water
(your own clean bathtub is okay)
How Can I Tell if I Have an Infection?
While these symptoms may also indicate other problems, look for
the following indications of infection:
*Redness and swelling
*A sensation of heat at the piercing site
*Pain, especially throbbing or spreading pain
*Unusual discharge. It may be yellowish, greenish, or grayish
I Think I Have an Infection. What Should I Do?
While it's never inappropriate to see your piercing-friendly physician,
a call to your piercer may save you a trip. If possible, visit
your piercer and show him/her the piercing. Also tell him/her
about any circumstances which may have led to an infection.
Please don't remove the jewelry! This may aggravate the problem
by closing off the drainage for the matter.
The effectiveness of an oral antibiotic depends on selecting the
right one for the job. This should only be done by a physician!
If you have used an over the counter topical antibiotic ointment
before without adverse effects, it may be appropriate to use sparingly,
for no more than 3-5 days. Many people are very sensitive to antibiotics,
particularly neomycin; Bacitracin is the least problematic ointment.
Common Problems You Can Avoid : Overcleaning, vigorous
cleaning, or using a cleanser that is too strong can produce symptoms
very similar to an infection. The skin may be very tender and
appear shiny, and there may be a clear discharge.
Friction caused by tight or heavy clothing, rough sexual activity,
or excessive movement of the area can cause dark redness, keloids,
discharge, and rejection/migration.
Stress, poor diet, or illness can cause longer healing times,
or migration of the piercing
Often, a cleanser reaction or other problem is mistaken for a
metal allergy. The area may feel hot and sore, like a low-grade
infection, or the body may attempt to pull away from the metal,
resulting in a large, growing cavity.
Occasionally, the selected jewelry may not be appropriate. This
may or may not be due to circumstances that occurred after the
piercing. If the jewelry is too thin or too heavy, too large or
too small in diameter, or not the appropriate style ( a barbell
instead of a ring, for example), you may experience healing problems.
Contact your piercer if you suspect that you may need different
jewelry.
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