Bellyring infected?!
Question: yesterday i felt that my piercing was a little bit sore and its been letting out a little but of pus, but barely any. I got it pierced a month ago and it doesn't hurt anymore today. i guess cuz i've been doing the salt soaks, but is it infected? if i keept doing the soaks will it stop pussing? i know im not suppose to touch it, but is it normal that it sticks completely to the skin? should i leave it alone even if it sticks ?
Answers: yesterday i felt that my piercing was a little bit sore and its been letting out a little but of pus, but barely any. I got it pierced a month ago and it doesn't hurt anymore today. i guess cuz i've been doing the salt soaks, but is it infected? if i keept doing the soaks will it stop pussing? i know im not suppose to touch it, but is it normal that it sticks completely to the skin? should i leave it alone even if it sticks ?
First of all it takes 6 weeks for a piercing to completely heal, on a completely healthy canidate. If you have health problems such as diabetes it will take even longer.
So... IF you are a completely healthy person its easy to fight a minor infection in a piercing.
If you are an herbalist than I agree with the statement from the person above me. I personally am not an herbalist so here is my suggestion.
I do not agree with salt soaks whatsoever for healing piercings, and do not ever put hydrogen peroxide or neosporin like the jackass who first answered on a puncture wound, had suggested. (Good for you for knowing this)
Go buy some Hibiclens- This is an antibacterial soap in a green bottle you can find at your local pharmacy section of say...WalMart or CVS. Its a ittle Expensive but well worth the expense. Its actually a surgical soap used for pre-treating skin before surgeries, cleaning skin after surgeries, and clearing up nasty infections.
If you can not afford to go with the hibiclens go with regular old GOLD DIAL, this is not your best choice since infection has probably already set in, and dial is more of a prevenative than a treatment, but its better than nothing!
Your third option is a product called Satin soap that your local REPUTABLE tattoo shop will have, if not, buy online- This is costly too, but I am a tattoo and piercing collector and this is my fav soap for tattoo's and piercings alike!
Now- Follow the instructions and wash the belly ring - Not too often as not to dry it out too much- But I would let the soap sit for at least 60 seconds.
I do like Tea Tree oil for piercings with infection, but this is a little costly too. But their are many piercing aftercare products available from H20 - or simply just try typing in Piercing aftercare suggestions on your search.
At this point I would not risk putting much on the actually piercing on its self, You may have just ripped it a bit on your clothes, and If you are healthy Just using the Hibiclens often enough should heal you up fast.
Hibiclens is my 2nd choice , and if I can't readily get Satin Soap that's what I use. I love it. And its a really thin soap so its great to leave on to soak for a bit!
Hope this helps.
If you start getting any very foul discharge, green colored discharge or it become hot or very painful to the touch, or if you get long bright red streaks up your abs (this is a sign of blood poisoning)
GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATLTY!!
I ain't playing kid!
You could have a massive infucktion!
=) Have fun!
Start washing it with hydrogen peroxide, and get to a doctor fast. An infection is nothing to play games with.
tea tree oil, or lavendar oil are fantastic antiseptics and antibacterials. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before handling, and put a few drops of either onto your ring. move the ring around so that the oil can slide into the wound. Do this whenever you think about it.
If it's infected, it won't hurt to use methylated spirits, or isocol to kill the infection.
If it doesn't clear up in a day or two, get to the doctor as you may need antibiotics.
ps... another good solution is golden seal ointment. It heals from the inside. Sunspirit makes a really good one (although it's greasy and icky, it's great for these infections)