If you are unsure if your new piercing is in the clear or it's getting weird, maybe its time to read this guide to identify if you have an infection.
An important thing to know when you get any part of your body pierced is that there is the possibility that your body may reject it. Many people do not realize that what they think is an infection is a rejection.
When a piercing is rejected it will begin to rise up and out of the skin. This happens because the piercing is considered a foreign body and the human immune system naturally tries to remove it. Many people don’t realize that the piercing is being rejected because the symptoms of rejection are very similar to those of an infection.
Something to watch for is whether your area of the piercing is redness or irritation. Take a look at the location of your piercing and observe if it appears scaly, dry and red. If this is the case, this is the piercing being rejected from your body. As a while, if the area of the piercing is more on the side of being swollen and much redder, then this is an infection.
While typically in piercings, discharge is considered normal, a large amount of discharge could signify that you either have an infection or rejection.
A great way to tell if the discharge is a rejection is if its a clear color. While a piercing infection has a white discharge that can be in slight colors of yellow, green or grey. It aswell comes along with a foul order.
If you feel an excessive amount of tenderness and pain then it may be a sign of an infection. A rejection does not cause any pain. An infected piercing can be tender to even the slightest touch. This pain will be across the bar of the piercing and extending several inches from the exit holes.
An important thing as well to observe over a period of time is the size of the piercing hole. If the hole seems to be expanding in size then this is a sign that your body may be trying to push it out. Ultimately making it a rejection
Another observation for the piercing hole is to watch the location of it. If the piercing has seemed to move locations, your body might be trying to rid of the piercing. This sort of rejection could take weeks to months, so it may not be easily noticeable. So you could document the location of the hole over some time.
If your body is rejecting the piercing the time it takes varies. In some cases, the jewelry will be expelled within 4 weeks, whereas others report it taking as long as a year. If you notice the signs of rejection, you should remove the jewelry right away. If it isn’t removed then damage to your skin and scarring may occur. If you're not absolutely sure that its a rejection you may also visit a licensed piercer or doctor.
If you notice that you might have an infection then its best advised cleaning the area. NOTE, to make sure to have clean hands before touching or cleaning your infection. Clean around the area of the piercing with salt water, and as well get a saline solution from a doctor or simply online. A doctor can also recommend an antibiotic to rid of the infection.
It is important to be aware that even though your piercing has been around for years it still has a chance to be rejected. It is always best to keep an eye out for that sort of possibility if you have a piercing.