Irritated vs. Infected Piercing: What Is the Difference?
Piercing problems? Let’s clear the confusion between irritation and infection.
Build Your Ear StoryPiercings are a fabulous way to express your style, but they can come with their own set of challenges. One of the most common concerns is differentiating between an irritated and an infected piercing.
Is your piercing rejecting or just irritated?
Should you remove your earring if it’s swollen?
Knowing the answers can save you discomfort and potentially prevent complications.
Let’s dive into the key differences between irritated and infected piercings, their symptoms, and how to care for them.
Is Your Piercing Irritated or Infected?
Take our quick assessment to understand your piercing's condition
How would you describe the pain?
What does the discharge look like?
How is the swelling?
Your piercing appears irritated
Recommended care:
- Clean 2x daily with saline solution
- Avoid touching or rotating jewelry
- Use warm compresses
- Monitor for changes
Your piercing shows infection signs
Immediate actions needed:
- Consult professional piercer/doctor
- Continue saline cleaning 3x daily
- Don't remove jewelry unless directed
- Apply warm compresses
An irritated piercing might:
- Be red or pink around the site.
- Feel itchy or sore.
- Have slight swelling.
- Produce minimal crusting or clear fluid.
An infected piercing, on the other hand, may display:
- Intense redness spreading beyond the piercing site.
- Pus or yellow-green discharge.
- Persistent swelling and warmth.
- Severe pain or tenderness.
- Fever or general malaise in severe cases.
- Clean Gently: Use a saline solution twice daily to clean the area.
- Avoid Irritants: Keep products like hairspray and perfume away from the piercing
- Switch Jewelry: Hypoallergenic materials like titanium or 18k gold may help.
- Don’t Overclean: Too much cleaning can dry out and further irritate the area.
- Continue Cleaning: Clean with saline solution but avoid harsh antiseptics.
- Apply Warm Compresses: Helps reduce swelling and drain minor infections.
- Consult a Doctor: If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical advice. Antibiotics may be necessary.
Rejection happens when your body sees the jewelry as a foreign object. Signs include:
- Jewelry moving closer to the surface.
- Thinning skin around the piercing.
- Persistent soreness or irritation.
If you notice these signs, visit a professional piercer for advice.
For irritation, it’s usually best to leave the earring in place to prevent the hole from closing. For infections, consult a doctor—removing jewelry can trap bacteria inside the wound.
FAQs About Irritated and Infected Piercings
Related Articles:
The Ear Piercing Guide
Piercing Gun vs. Needle
How To Treat An Infected Tragus Piercing
How to Treat an Infected Ear Piercing
By following these tips, you can keep your piercings healthy and stylish. Always prioritize proper aftercare to avoid complications, and when in doubt, seek professional advice.
