How do you stop an old piercing from getting infected?

Getting a piercing infected is common, especially if the piercing is older. Infections happen when bacteria get trapped inside the piercing channel and multiply. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat infected piercings.

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What causes an old piercing to get infected?

There are a few common causes of infected old piercings:

Not cleaning the piercing properly or often enough
Touching the piercing with unclean hands
Exposing the piercing to dirt, makeup, or bodily fluids

Using low-quality jewelry that irritates the piercing
Trauma or injury to the piercing
Underlying health conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system

Over time, even well-cared for piercings can develop infections if you aren’t diligent about aftercare. The hole left behind by a piercing can harbor bacteria many years after you first got it pierced.

What are the symptoms of an infected old piercing?

Signs of an infected piercing include:

Redness around the piercing hole

Swelling of the skin around the jewelry
Green or yellow pus draining from the piercing
Tenderness, pain, or throbbing sensation around the piercing

A foul odor coming from the jewelry or piercing
Warmth radiating from the infected area
Fever or flu-like symptoms if the infection has spread

You may also notice crusty buildup around the jewelry or that the jewelry is embedded due to swelling. See your healthcare provider promptly if you observe any of these infection signs.

How can you clean an infected old piercing?

Cleaning is crucial for treating an infected piercing. Here’s how to clean an infected piercing safely:

Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the piercing.

Do a saline soak by submerging the piercing in a small bowl or cup of warm sterile saline solution for 5-10 minutes.
Use a sterile gauze pad or paper towel to remove any discharge or crusty matter around the jewelry.
Gently rotate the jewelry to loosen debris inside the piercing.

Rinse thoroughly with more sterile saline solution.
Pat dry with clean paper towels.
Repeat the saline soak 2-3 times daily.

Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, soap, ointment, or other products on an infected piercing, as these can further irritate it.

What’s the best way to do a sea salt soak for an infected piercing?

A sea salt soak is a popular home remedy for treating infected piercings. Here is how to do it:

Wash your hands thoroughly before starting.

Make a sea salt solution by dissolving 1⁄4 teaspoon of sea salt in one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. Only use sea salt, not table salt.
Pour the solution into a clean cup or bowl.
Lean over the bowl and submerge the infected piercing in the solution for 5-10 minutes.

Use clean gauze or paper towels to wipe away any discharge that comes out.
Rinse off with clean water.
Dry the area with a clean towel.

Do this soak 1-2 times daily until the infection clears.

The sea salt solution helps draw out fluid and debris from the piercing hole to promote healing. Be sure to use warm but not hot water, as excess heat can further irritate the infected tissue.

Should you take out an infected piercing?

It’s best not to remove the jewelry from an infected piercing. Taking the jewelry out can trap the infection inside and make it worse. The exception is if you have a severe infection that your doctor recommends draining.

Leaving the jewelry in allows the infection to drain out properly. Just be sure to clean the jewelry thoroughly when doing your salt soaks and washes. Once the infection starts clearing up, you can consider safely removing or changing the jewelry.

Is antibiotic ointment good for an infected piercing?

Antibiotic ointment is usually not recommended for treating infected piercings, as it can trap debris and bacteria. The ointment can also delay healing by keeping the wound moist. Skip the antibiotic ointment unless your doctor advises using it.

For mild infections, saline soaks and heat treatments are usually sufficient for healing. For more severe infections that have progressed to cellulitis or an abscess, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics. Never use topical antibiotic creams without medical supervision.

When to see a doctor about an infected piercing

See your healthcare provider if:

Your infection doesn’t improve within 2-3 days of home treatment.
You see red streaks extending from the piercing site.

You develop a fever higher than 100°F (37.8°C).
Your pain becomes severe and doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication.
You have symptoms of an abscess, like a pus-filled swollen bump.

Your infection is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes.

These can be signs of a progressed infection that requires medical treatment. Some infections may even need to be drained or debrided. Oral antibiotics may also be necessary to clear up stubborn or recurrent piercing infections.

Home remedies for infected piercings

In addition to sea salt soaks, here are some other home remedies that can help treat infected piercings and support healing:

Warm compresses – Place a warm, damp washcloth over the infected piercing for 10-15 minutes up to three times per day. The heat helps promote drainage and blood flow.
Tea tree oil – Dilute 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil like coconut oil. Apply gently to the piercing 1-2 times daily with a cotton swab. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties.
Chamomile compress – Make a strong chamomile tea, soak a cloth in it, and hold it over the piercing for 10 minutes. Do this up to twice daily.

Turmeric paste – Mix 1⁄2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with enough water to form a paste. Apply to the piercing for 10-20 minutes, then rinse. Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Always be sure to dilute essential oils before applying them to piercings. Discuss using herbal remedies with your doctor first as well.

How to change jewelry on an infected piercing

It’s best to avoid changing the jewelry until the infection has fully cleared up. Once the infection starts improving, follow these precautions for changing jewelry:

Wash your hands before handling the piercing.
Do a saline soak to loosen any crusted matter around the jewelry.
Gently pull the old jewelry straight out from the piercing.

Immediately insert the new jewelry, avoiding twisting or tugging motions.
Use new sterilized jewelry made of implant-grade metals.
Adjust the post or barbell to accommodate swelling.

Do a final saline rinse and pat dry with clean gauze.
Avoid over-cleaning the new jewelry to allow healing.

Poor quality jewelry is often the culprit behind infected piercings. Be sure to use implant-grade stainless steel, titanium, 14+ karat gold, or niobium jewelry. Avoid nickel jewelry or plated metals.

How to switch a piercing from a ring to a stud

Switching from a ring to a stud requires special care to avoid irritating or re-infecting the piercing. Follow these steps:

Disinfect your hands and the jewelry thoroughly. Allow them to air dry.
Gently remove the ring by twisting it open and slipping it out.

Use a cotton swab soaked in sterile saline to clean inside the piercing hole.
Grab the post of the stud with clean tweezers and gently insert it into the hole.
Place the stud end carefully into the post and tighten the clasp.

Give the stud a slight wiggle to allow room for swelling.
Do a final saline rinse and pat dry with clean gauze.
Avoid playing with the new stud and be cautious not to bump or snag it.

Let the piercing fully heal before attempting to switch jewelry again. Studs tend to cause less irritation than rings in healing piercings.

How long does it take for a piercing infection to go away?

A minor piercing infection will usually clear up within 3-5 days of proper at-home treatment. More significant infections can take 1-2 weeks to fully resolve. See your doctor if the infection lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Be patient during the healing process. Continue cleaning and caring for the piercing until all evidence of infection is gone. Avoid submerging it in bath water or irritating it with makeup, lotions, or tight clothing. With proper aftercare, the infection should continue improving each day.

How to prevent future piercing infections

You can help prevent future infections of your old piercings by:

Cleaning piercings daily – Even healed piercings need regular cleaning to prevent infection. Use sterile saline and avoid harsh products.
Not touching piercings – Keep hands and hair products away to avoid introducing bacteria.

Being gentle – Tugging, playing with, or catching piercings on things can traumatize the site.
Using quality jewelry – Implant-grade metals are ideal for sensitive piercings.
Avoiding trauma – Bumping, catching, or scratching a piercing can expose it to bacteria.

Treating irritation promptly – Dryness, swelling, and tenderness are early signs of trouble.

See your piercer or doctor right away if you suspect the start of an infection. With vigilance and proper aftercare, you can keep your piercings healthy and infection-free for years.

Conclusion

Infections are common complications of old piercings. With attentive cleaning using sea salt soaks and sterile saline, most mild infections can be cleared up at home. More significant symptoms may require medical treatment. To avoid repeated infections, be conscientious about daily piercing care and use only high-quality jewelry. Seek prompt treatment at the first signs of infection to prevent the problem from worsening. With some patience and TLC, your beloved piercing can make a full recovery.