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Piercing Infections @ Jewel Info 4 U
By:Sheweta Dhanuka
Body piercing is very stylish
and contemporary. Women as well as
men are getting their ear and nose
pierced since thousands of years but
according to the most modern fashion
almost all the organs of body are
open for this trendy modus operandi.
Teenagers fascinated by the hottest
craze and style are seen with their
eyebrows, lips, navel and tongue
pierced. It could be multiple rings
or studs around or inside the body
part. Other than teens many adults
are enthusiastic about this unique
art. They associate piercing as
their individual style statement
that describes their respective
personality as fashionable and
modish.
This new style is indeed only one of
its kind and coolest mania in
fashion at this moment in time.
However, it might be quite painful
if apposite care and precautions are
not taken after piercing any of the
body organs. It is highly
susceptible to infection in case of
ignorance during the healing
process. Even after the healing is
complete few safety measures are
still must to be practiced for the
entire life. This article explains
about all possible facts and
information about piercing. It
starts from types or piercing,
symptoms of infection, reasons &
solutions and precautions. It would
positively accustom the reader with
this inimitable art on body.
Various Body Piercing Infections
Navel Piercing InfectionsIt is also called
as button belly piercing. This
piercing is the most difficult and
painful piercing. It is the most
sensitive body organ and extremely
prone to the piercing infection.
Once it is pierced it can get
infected any time. There are high
probable chances that soon after the
piercing there is no infection but
it might happen months or years
after. The wound at navel requires
longest time duration to heal
amongst all other body piercing. It
varies from one person to another
but on an average it could be
between 4 months to 2 years.
Simple cotton clothes are idyllic
for the healing process while
fabrics that create moisture or
friction should be avoided as it
might cause infection. Individuals
who had their navel pierced must be
very cognizant while wearing
waistbands or belts. If precautions
are not taken while wearing these
accessories then it could easily get
caught in the piercing and damage
it. Such incidents surely lead to
terrible pain and finally the
infection.
Tongue Piercing InfectionsThis piercing
requires maximum care after the
healing. Regular use of either
herbal or antiseptic mouthwash twice
or thrice in a day is must to stay
away from infection in future. After
every meal mouth should be clean
thoroughly and ensure that none of
the food particle gets stuck in the
jewelry piece. Also ingestion of
alcohol and spicy food need to be
minimized. Even oral contact with
any other person should be avoided.
Healing time for tongue piercing is
between 20-25 days.
The piercing jewelry used must be
small and light weight else it might
damage the teeth. In case of
swelling or redness to bring down
the pain ice could be used. During
the healing the tongue should be
gently brushed. As mouth is full of
bacteria, some oral antibiotics are
ideal for quick healing.
Lips Piercing infectionsIt is relatively
least common amongst all different
types of body piercing. Upper lip as
well as lower lip could be pierced.
It is healed faster than the tongue
piercing only when precautions are
taken with respect to food, liquids
and smoking. Spicy food, alcohol and
smoking need to be minimized as much
as possible during the healing time.
Regular use of homemade saline
solution enables an early recovery
and wards off the chances of
infection. After every meal one
should mouthwash with this solution.
It can be prepared by mixing 1/8 tsp
sea salt in one cup warm water.
Appropriate jewelry should be
selected else wrong jewelry
selection could damage teeth as well
as gums.
Ear Piercing InfectionsThe safest body organ
with respect to piercing is ear. It
requires minimum care and
precautions. In country like India
98% females and 25% of males have
their earlobes pierced at the gold
smith shop or through gunshot.
Chances for any type of infection
are relatively rare. Healing is
complete within the short span of
15-20days. During this period the
piercing must be clean with the mild
soap and antibiotic ointment should
be applied after bath and before
going to bed. Also the pierced
jewelry either ring or stud must be
rotated or moved forward & backward
respectively. This would avoid the
jewelry piece getting tucked in the
dry pus.
The pierced jewelry should be worn
for the first 30 days. Once the
healing is complete, it can be
changed. Initially lightweight gold
earrings should be worn then after
any metal earring can be selected as
desired. Always ensure to wear some
jewelry piece at least for the first
one and half year. As in this time
period piercing tends to get close.
Piercing done apart from earlobes is
more painful and takes longer time
to heal. Some people get the ear
pierced from top to bottom. They
should be extra careful with these
places, as it is more delicate than
the earlobes.
Nose Piercing InfectionsNose piercing is
gaining popularity is west at a very
rapid pace. It takes longer time for
healing. The first 20-25 days are
very important as near the pierced
hole one lump might be formed. With
hot fermentation the lump reduces
and is evaded. The probability of
infection is less but if the gunshot
piercing is done then there are more
chances of infection. One more
important aspect with nose piercing
is lubrication of the piercing. That
is, coconut oil and lavender oil
should be applied at least once in a
day so that it remains soft.
Eyebrow Piercing InfectionsIt is a simple
piercing same like ear and nose
piercing. However, one cannot change
the jewelry frequently as in ear. It
is not highly prone to infection as
navel piercing but general piercing
precautions and care is must be
taken. This piercing is more common
in west than other parts of the
universe.
Symptoms of Infections
Many
innocent people think infection and
allergy is same. This is not true.
Infection is different from allergic
reactions. The symptom of allergy is
burning sensation around the
piercing. Some typical kind of
irritation is experienced as if the
jewelry is being pulled out. No
matter whether it is allergy or
infection the doctor must be
consulted without delay. There are
three main symptoms of infections
viz. swelling, redness and
discharge.
Swelling: The area around the
piercing blows out like a balloon.
It might be painful too but it looks
very different than the normal. The
swollen skin becomes very sensitive.
Slight touch to that skin causes
pain.
Redness: As the name specifies, the
piercing and the area around it
becomes red. Redness is clearly
identified being different from the
skin colour. More the red the skin
worse is problem.
Discharge: It is said to be
discharge when yellow colored
semi-liquid comes out from the
piercing wound. It is not fully
liquid like water but partial. It is
referred as pus. Sometimes it could
also be light green colour. Pus is
discharged when healing is
incomplete and urgently requires
some medication.
Reasons and Solutions of Infection:
There are few common reasons due to
which infection is caused. These are
very careless acts done by a common
person. It is mentioned as careless
because people are not cautious of
their act. These reasons that are
the foremost root of infection are
discussed along with the solutions
to avoid the same or overcome the
undesired problems.
01 : The main reason for piercing
infection is the jewelry material.
Skin of each individual is different
so it reacts differently to the
piercing material used. People who
are allergic to jewelry material
bear higher chances of getting the
infection. The piercing material is
often plated with brass that causes
allergic reactions leading to
infection.
01 : Merely high surgical grade 14K
or 18K yellow gold should be used in
order to avoid the infection caused
due to jewelry material. Good
quality stainless steel, niobium or
titanium are other options. Silver
and brass must strictly be avoided
in every respect.
02 : In case partially healed
piercing is damaged then it gets
prone to infection. Also the healing
process returns back to the stage
one.
02 : The piercing should not be
rubbed hard with any towel or
napkin. It should always be done
gently. When the jewelry is pulled
out of the pierced hole, then the
individual should go back to meet
the person who did the piercing or
meet the family doctor. Immediate
action is very crucial to be taken
especially with belly button, lips,
nose and tongue piercing.
03 : Superfluous cleaning of the
piercing might also cause infection.
Excess washing destabilizes body's
ability to fend off infection.
Further, complete ignorance towards
cleaning undoubtedly causes
infection.
03 : It must be clean only 2-3 times
everyday. Hands should be washed
before touching the pierce every
single time. 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
mixed in water must be applied with
the soaked cotton ball 3-4 times at
single moment. It cleans the dried
bits that might result in inner
dent. It could also be cleaned with
soap. Only soap consisting
antibacterial agents should be used.
Apply it to the piercing jewelry,
turn around the same through the
pierce 2-3 times with the soft hand
and wash it painstakingly with clean
water. After cleaning wipe it fully
with a clean soft towel/tissue.
Finally, apply moisturizer
containing negligible scents and
animal fats. It should be ensured
that no soap is left behind while
cleaning else it would cause the
irritation.
04 : Often people experience some
irritation at the piercing. The
irritation happens to be so
uncontrollable that individual can't
resist touching it that instant
without washing hands. Consequently
it leads to infection. The reason
for irritation could be either one
of the following:1. Soap or moisturizer used contains
irritating harsh substance.
2. Body organ that is pierced is
unable to withstand the weight of
piercing jewelry with respect to
shape and size. It could be too big
or fancy with unwanted beads.
3. Excessive force on the pierced
area while sleeping, improper
sitting or lying position and son
on.
4. The residual water, soap,
ointment or moisturizer while
cleaning.
5. Disproportionate movement of the
jewelry around piercing. On the
contrary jewelry getting stuck and
not moving.
04 : Irritation caused due to any of
these reason could be solved by
understanding the same and resolving
it with the effective step. Like
right kind of soap or moisturizer
should be used. Small lightweight
jewelry should be always selected
for piercing. Simple the jewelry
better it is, without any additional
beads or gems. Cleaning precautions
are ideal to be practiced. And last
the most important; if the jewelry
is stuck then antiseptic cream must
be applied.
Precautions for avoiding infection
* Only the professionals who are
trained to pierce step by step and
follow the health & safety
guidelines should do piercing. Self
piercing or getting it done from a
friend/relative is absolutely brutal
as it may cause some sever infection
or life threatening liver disease
known as viral hepatitis.
* Irrespective of the any organ
pierced, always sterile needle must
be used else it might cause
infectious atrocious disease called
as contracting hepatitis. This
disease spreads when infected blood
or fluid in minute quantity comes in
contact with the skin.
* Intake of proper balanced
nutritious diet and multivitamins
mainly vitamin C and zinc. Garlic in
food items too is good healing
component.
* Dirt free cloths must be worn.
Also ensure the beading is neat and
clean.
* Always have stress free mind and
feel happy at heart & mind.
* When initially the jewelry at the
any piercing is to be rotated, use
lukewarm water and then do it.
* One should not remove the jewelry
from the piercing else it would
close especially button belly,
tongue, lips and eyebrow. Ear and
nose jewelry can be changed after a
year or so.
* In case of any symptoms of
infection as described above are
experienced the one should
immediately see the doctor, as these
are the signs of infection.
Sometimes, oral antibiotics are
prescribed that must be strictly
followed.
* Strong scents, hydrogen peroxide,
alcohol and animal fats present in
soaps are injurious therefore must
be avoided totally. It goes with
moisturizer as well.
* Lukewarm dry compresses on the
piercing alleviate irritation and
gives relief to the pain. Any hot
liquid or hot clean towel in a
Ziploc bag placed on piercing for
1-12 minutes once in two hours
proffers a huge liberation from pain
and irritation. The reason for
relief is steam from hot water/cloth
increases blood circulation, reduces
the swollen lump and dilutes the pus
gathered around the piercing inside
the body. Small thing to take care
is that, little wetness that appears
due to hot padding must be wiped off
instantaneously with the clean
tissue.
These are few important aspects to
be cautious about else the healing
is long-drawn-out. The healing is
faster and complete if and only if
the individual takes proper care and
precautions. It is always said that
prevention is better than cure.
Therefore, it is essential to be
careful of all these defensive
actions.
Body piercing is the amazing art. It
could define one's personality in an
impressive manner. Every single
thing in this entire universe has
two faces one good and other bad.
Similarly, body piercing too has a
not so good face that is infection.
One can deal with it positively by
following all the mentioned advices
and instructions. With little
efforts one could enjoy fashionable
art on their body for the rest of
the life.
Related Links :
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Belly Button Piercing
The Egyptians, the Indians and many other cultures pierced this humble button to show the significance of the person sporting a pierced navel - Royalty, Warriors, exceptional Beauty. |
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