(trïb' e•lek' tik)
The Idiot's Guide to Troubleshooting a Piercing Problem
Submitted by Tribalectic Archives in Healing Articles on March 31st, 2001
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No matter how many emails Tribalectic receives a day, the overwhelming majority consistently regard questions about piercings. As a result, this month I would like to use the feature column to help spread some useful basic knowledge about problems you may be experiencing with your piercing. One of Tribalectic's largest goals is to empower the piercee with as much information as needed to have a successful, enjoyable piercing experience. With the help of some of the industry's most passionate and knowledgeable piercers, we're proud to offer you the highest quality information on the web and this month's feature installment (another gracious 'thank you' to John Lopez at Gotham Body Piercing in San Francisco, CA).
1) Do you see puss? (thick, white, liquid, sometimes tinted pink, yellow and even green) Is it swollen? Is it warm to the touch? Is it red and inflamed? Does it hurt?
"Yes" to these could indicate infection. Bacteria or another irritant has caused an infection or a response from you body that resembles an infection. See your doctor if your piercers instructions don't help within 3-5 days.
2) Is there a hard knot under the piercing? (like a marble under the skin) Is it warm to the touch? Does it hurt? Is it red and inflamed? Does puss sometimes ooze out?
"Yes" to these could indicate an abscess. An infection is trapped and could burst. Don't squeeze it and don't remove the jewelry until your doctor tells you to. See a doctor immediately, this could become very serious!
3) Is there a bump next to the piercing? (like a pimple) Is it red and inflamed? Does puss sometimes ooze out? Is it tender near the bump?
"Yes" to these could indicate a follicular cyst. Something is stuck inside the piercing or a pore or follicle near the piercing is blocked. Hot soaks should take care of it very quickly.
4) Is the skin tight and shiny? Is there a rash? Does the rash seem to "flow" downward? Does the piercing seem moist or wet constantly? (clear moisture)
"Yes" to these could indicate a chemical reaction. Simply stop using your cleaning agent and try saline soaks. Results should be almost instant.
5) Is the skin tight and shiny? Do the holes seem to be enlarged? Does it itch? Does the piercing seem moist or wet constantly? (clear moisture) Is the skin tender?
"Yes" to these could indicate a metal reaction. Simply change to a different metal. Results will be almost instant.
6) Is the skin darkening around the piercing? Does the ring stand at "attention" constantly? Does it hurt? Are the ends of the jewelry tight against the piercing?
"Yes" to these could indicate constriction, that your jewelry is too tight. A larger diameter should fix the problem. See your Piercer.
7) Is there a "volcano" of skin forming around the jewelry? (this extra skin isn't tender) Is the piercing tender? Is the piercing inflamed? Is the skin darkening around the piercing?
"Yes" to these could indicate a keloid do to irritation or friction. Is the jewelry to long? Are your clothes rubbing a lot? Are you physically active? See your Piercer to find a solution…it may take time to find a comfortable solution.
8) Is there a painless, but ugly "worm" hanging out of the new tongue or nipple piercing?
Don't worry, this is just a strip of tissue that was cut by the needle that stayed connected and is either going to reabsorb into your body or die and fall off…leave it alone, it goes away quickly.
1) Do you see puss? (thick, white, liquid, sometimes tinted pink, yellow and even green) Is it swollen? Is it warm to the touch? Is it red and inflamed? Does it hurt?
"Yes" to these could indicate infection. Bacteria or another irritant has caused an infection or a response from you body that resembles an infection. See your doctor if your piercers instructions don't help within 3-5 days.
2) Is there a hard knot under the piercing? (like a marble under the skin) Is it warm to the touch? Does it hurt? Is it red and inflamed? Does puss sometimes ooze out?
"Yes" to these could indicate an abscess. An infection is trapped and could burst. Don't squeeze it and don't remove the jewelry until your doctor tells you to. See a doctor immediately, this could become very serious!
3) Is there a bump next to the piercing? (like a pimple) Is it red and inflamed? Does puss sometimes ooze out? Is it tender near the bump?
"Yes" to these could indicate a follicular cyst. Something is stuck inside the piercing or a pore or follicle near the piercing is blocked. Hot soaks should take care of it very quickly.
4) Is the skin tight and shiny? Is there a rash? Does the rash seem to "flow" downward? Does the piercing seem moist or wet constantly? (clear moisture)
"Yes" to these could indicate a chemical reaction. Simply stop using your cleaning agent and try saline soaks. Results should be almost instant.
5) Is the skin tight and shiny? Do the holes seem to be enlarged? Does it itch? Does the piercing seem moist or wet constantly? (clear moisture) Is the skin tender?
"Yes" to these could indicate a metal reaction. Simply change to a different metal. Results will be almost instant.
6) Is the skin darkening around the piercing? Does the ring stand at "attention" constantly? Does it hurt? Are the ends of the jewelry tight against the piercing?
"Yes" to these could indicate constriction, that your jewelry is too tight. A larger diameter should fix the problem. See your Piercer.
7) Is there a "volcano" of skin forming around the jewelry? (this extra skin isn't tender) Is the piercing tender? Is the piercing inflamed? Is the skin darkening around the piercing?
"Yes" to these could indicate a keloid do to irritation or friction. Is the jewelry to long? Are your clothes rubbing a lot? Are you physically active? See your Piercer to find a solution…it may take time to find a comfortable solution.
8) Is there a painless, but ugly "worm" hanging out of the new tongue or nipple piercing?
Don't worry, this is just a strip of tissue that was cut by the needle that stayed connected and is either going to reabsorb into your body or die and fall off…leave it alone, it goes away quickly.
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Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Member #: 5818
Status: Offline
HELP! I have a monroe
Posted on June 7, 2008, 6:19 pmHELP! I have a monroe piercing and wear a bioflex stud that has the reverse thread cz post that basically pops right in. I was eating this evening and the next thing I know the plastic stud was in my mouth (apparently the back got caught on my tooth and pulled it through my lip - the cz post is very small, not much bigger than the post itself but i have never had a problem). Anyways, the plastic stud did not have the cz post in it nor was the post in my mouth. I am pretty sure it is stuck up inside my lip somewhere. What is crazy though is that I was able to stick another stud back in there thinking it would push the post out and it didnt. I tried to press my lip between my tongue and finger and am pretty sure I can feel it up in here but no matter what I tried I could not get it out. My husband said that if I dont get it cut out (which will probably result in me having to get another peircing which i dont want to do) that it could be dangerous. My friend told me to just leave it because she has been shot with bb's and they were all left in her skin! Please give me some good advice!
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Member #: 5874
Status: Offline
an x ray might show if the
Posted on June 10, 2008, 7:02 aman x ray might show if the post is stuck in there. this does sort of sound like it's time to call the doctor
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Member #: 9146
Status: Offline
I really need some advice.
Posted on August 18, 2008, 6:05 pmI really need some advice. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I recently had my belly button pierced, and now there is a red bump under and around the top side of the top ball. It will not go away. The bump/redness doesn't hurt to the touch or anything, but the piercing in general is still pretty sore.(it's been two weeks) I have done all the things that are normally recommended and nothing has helped yet. I would like to know if the navel piercing is located too high(especially the top hole) if it will cause problems.? I'm thinking that there isn't enough room for air circulation. On my piercing, both the top ball AND the bottom ball are very snug against the skin. The post will come up through if I push on the bottom ball, maybe about 1/8th of an inch, but the post doesn't show unless I PUSH on it. Is this the way it should be? I really need a response quick!! Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Member #: 11116
Status: Offline
This is one of the major
Posted on September 4, 2008, 1:00 pmThis is one of the major downfalls the this style of jewelry- they have become incredibly popular because they are comfy and easy to change- but I've had to send more than one client to the hospital to have the jeweled end removed from inside their lip. Its definitely a risk to consider when buying one of these pieces.
Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Member #: 11116
Status: Offline
It sounds to me like your
Posted on September 4, 2008, 1:06 pmIt sounds to me like your jewelry is too short. That doesn't necessarily mean that your piercing wasn't placed correctly, but its possible. Jewelry is not one size fits all, so it could be that your piercing is in the best spot for your build, and you just need longer jewelry. I would go back to your piercer if I were you. If they aren't willing to help you, or at least look at the piercing and give you a reasonable explanation for the symptoms and tell you what to do to fix it- then I would seek out a new piercer ASAP. It also helps to make sure you were given appropriate aftercare instructions- check safepiercing.org for a list of the most current industry standards on aftercare, and also for hints on finding a new piercer in case yours isn't willing to help (its always possible- there are alot of piercers out there that don't do there job the way they should!) Hope that helps!
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Member #: 5765
Status: Offline
I've had my Labret pierced
Posted on September 7, 2008, 12:50 pmI've had my Labret pierced for about 3 months. I did all the cleaning took good care of it and it healed up nicely. This morning, however, I noticed a bump forming on the inside of the lip. It doesn't hurt and isn't oozing anything. I have plenty of other piercings and have never had a keloid. I do think it may have been cause by irritation. I still have the post in that is was pierced with and I think it may be too long. I email my piercer (I'm out of town on work) and she told me to start rinsing with sea salt again but I am hoping to get a Tribalectic opinion or advice from someone who has a Labret piercing. I have smaller jewelry to use but I'd like it too heal before I change it. Thanks.
Joined: 10 Sep 2008
Member #: 12148
Status: Offline
i have this lump behind my
Posted on September 10, 2008, 7:48 pmi have this lump behind my ear.its not sore and its not hard.it is really squeshy and only hurts when i apply pressure to it such as laying on my side.Ive tried soaking it and all that does it make it squeshier...is that a good thing or a bad?