Inflamed piercing occurs when there is an alteration in the healing process, causing pain, swelling and redness above normal after piercing the skin.
Treatment of inflamed piercing should preferably be guided by a nurse or GP, depending on the type of wound and the degree of inflammation, but the general guidelines are to keep the place clean and dry, avoiding moisture and sweating, in addition to using anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
Know the main treatments you should perform with inflamed piercing
If the drilling site is perceived to be inflamed, some precautions are needed, such as:
When inflammation does not improve with these precautions, it is recommended to consult a family doctor, as it may be necessary to start treatment with antibiotic tablets, such as cefalexin, or ointments, such as Diprogenta or Trok-G, for example.
In case of swollen perforations in the mouth, such as on the tongue or lip, in addition to these precautions, it is important to eat soft foods to help reduce discomfort and pain. See an example soft food menu.
Products such as honey, aloe vera or other homemade ointments should not be used, as they may accumulate dirt in the area and make healing difficult. Products such as alcohol, iodine or hydrogen peroxide, as they cause irritation, should only be used in cases of larger wounds requiring bandages, under the direction of the nurse or gpation.
To avoid inflammation of the piercing, it is important not to rub clothing or accessories in place, to avoid the accumulation of sweat or secretions, keeping the place dry and clean and not enter swimming pools, lakes or the sea until the wound is healed. When cleaning the area, it is recommended to touch the jewels a little, carefully and with clean hands, to avoid the accumulation of secretions that can facilitate infection.
In addition, drilling should always be placed in a reliable place, as the use of contaminated equipment can cause serious infections. Learn more about the right ways to treat perforation and prevent infections.
After piercing, whether in the navel, nose, ear or mouth, it is normal to look inflamed for about 2 days, with localized swelling, redness, clear discharge and a little pain. However, there may be signs that excessive inflammation or even infection is occurring, such as:
In the presence of these signs and symptoms, emergency department should be used to start treatment with anti-inflammatory and antibiotics, prescribed by the family doctor.