Piercings: How to prevent complications

The term "body piercing" refers to the inserting of jewelry into the skin. This is the most prevalent body alteration, along with tattooing. But there are several piercing-related complications after every piercing like after the tongue piercing, swelling, and molar breakage are frequent after effects. After piercing the earlobe, mild infections, allergic skin reactions, scars formation, and traumatic ripping might develop. Similarly, oral piercings must be granted additional care because they are common and can cause a variety of problems.

General physicians must be positioned to treat body piercing complications and they should provide the users with accurate information and a care guide.

Know the risks

• Any type of piercing poses a risk of complications, including:
• Allergies to piercing jewelry, specifically nickel-based jewelry, are possible.
• Tongue piercing jewelry could crack, shatter, and harm teeth and molars. After just a fresh piercing, tongue swelling can make eating, chewing, and breathing uncomfortable.
• There are many chances to have skin infections and can also induce redness, discomfort, inflammation, or mucus-like discharge drainage following a piercing.
• Piercing can develop in scarring, various skin issues, and enhanced regions due to scar tissue expansion.
• You can get a variety of contagious infections, notably HBV infection, hep C, tetanus, and HIV if the piercing instrument is polluted by contaminated blood.
• Jewelry can get trapped and ripped out by accident, necessitating stitches or even other forms of surgery.
• If you have an allergic response, infections, and other skin issues around the piercing, you may also need medications or other assistance.

Choosing a piercing provider

Choose the piercing provider carefully and the piercing shop should have:

• Must be a distinct space dedicated to equipment cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing 
• Appropriate lighting, ventilation, and a hand wash basin.
• Find a piercing artist who has been in the profession for a while and is authorized by the local authorities.
• Never hesitate to inquire about the piercer's credentials and procedures. Do not feel compelled to do contact with them if they don't address your queries and if you are not comfortable or safe with them.
• The workplace should be maintained hygienic and environmentally friendly at all times.
• Skin-piercing tools, syringes, and jewelry must be sterile.
• The operator's attire should be tidy and there must be no open injuries or wounds to him.
• Before such a treatment, the provider must convey to you the correct medical information and guidelines.

The following persons should avoid piercings

• If having diabetes, cardiomyopathy, vehicle disorders, and perhaps other medical issues could make the healing process more difficult.
• If you have chemotherapy which lowers your antibodies and puts you highly vulnerable to infections
• If the person has such a job or he is engaged in that activity where getting a piercing would be inappropriate.
• Some illnesses, such as aortic problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin problems.
• You want a nipple, belly, or other piercing since you're planning to get pregnant.
• If you're expecting a child
• Having contact dermatitis, an odd illness, dermatitis, a swelling, a laceration, warts, or a variety of blemishes or blisters.

To prevent infection and encourage healing

Usually piercings cure in six weeks or less, but few may require months or even years to heal. To prevent any infection always leave the jewelry in place throughout this time, including at nighttime, to prevent the piercing from shutting up. As your piercing heals, avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, streams, ponds, and other bodies of water. If swimming is a must, then use a watertight bandage to protect the piercings. If you're cleansing a fresh piercing, please don't touch it or revolve the jewelry. Also, keep your clothing apart from the piercing. Frequent scratching or friction can bother the skin and cause it to heal more slowly.

If you have got your tongue, lips, or cheek pierced, clean it after every meal and then before night using an alcohol-free antibacterial rinse. To prevent putting bacteria into your mouth, try a fresh fluoride toothpaste after your piercing. Consider removing it while eating or engaging in strenuous activities. Consume cold foods and beverages to reduce inflammation.

Similarly to avoid infections to skin piercings, clean the area using detergent and water twice a day. When cleaning the piercing area, make sure to wash your hands. Furthermore, avoid letting the piercing region come into contact with another person's bodily fluids like saliva and perspiration. For navel piercings, dress in dry, soft clothes. Also, avoid wearing pantyhose, leotards, buckles, or tight clothing. Always wear loose clothes and allow the air to assist in the navel healing process.

Direct sunlight, tanning salons, beaches, tanned oils, and lotions should all be avoided since they can burn and blister the piercing, causing scarring.

Some suggestions to care for your piercing include:

• As much as feasible, keep the piercing dry.
• Avoid touching or turning the piercing excessively and regularly wash your hands before and after touching it.
• Don't give your jewelry to your buddies.
• Don't take off the jewelry until the area is completely healed.
• Leave the scab on the piercing since it protects it from infection.
• While bathing or showering, apply soapy water to the piercing area.
• After a shower or bath, clean the piercing with tissue or cotton buds. Neither a towel nor a face wash should be used.
• Avoid using alcohol-based cleaners, lavender oil, skin cleansers antibacterial products, or creams. These can cause the skin to break out, which can lead to longer healing timeframes.
• While your oral piercing heals, you should refrain from smoking, chewing tobacco, or consuming spicy foods.

Points to remember

• Hire a professional piercer whose company is licensed with the local authorities.
• Only sterile tools, equipment, and jewelry must be employed and before the procedures, the piercer must provide you with detailed information regarding the procedures and after-care of the piercings.
• Take care of your body piercing as it heals. Maintain the site's cleanliness. Clean the piercing area with detergent on a routine basis but only handle the piercing whenever it is essential.
• Call Additional medical help straight away if you have any discomfort, pain, irritation, or discharge.