Of all the areas available for piercing, earlobe still remains the trendsetter. According to the recent statistics, about 85% of Americans have their earlobes pierced. Around 14% have more than one piercing in addition to earlobe. 72 out of 100 women have at least one piercing in their body. When considering the women population, earlobe piercing remains in first rank. Next comes the navel piercing (33%), nose piercing (19%) followed by helix (other than earlobe) piercing (13%) and only 10% opt for tongue piercing.
Lastly nipple and eyebrow piercing (9%) are rarely preferred. Genital piercing is a very rare phenomenon done by less than 2% of women. For men, nipple and eyebrows occupies the first rank (17-18%) next to earlobe. They also opt for tongue piercing (16%) and lip piercing (13%). The same statistics reports that only 30% of the people develop any complications after piercing and among them only 15.2% seek medical help.
Infection :
Only those who are careless and unhygienic in cleansing the piercing site for the first few days develop problems like infection. Localized swelling, redness, and discomfort are quite common for all who have done with piercing. You need to bother only if there is pain and swelling even after 3 days of piercing. During the process of healing, it can cause slight itching, and mild layer of crust on the jewelry. The skin may get tightened around the jewelry as the wound heals.
If you find any foul smelling discharge from the piercing site with pain it can be due to bacterial infection. This can happen if you fail to clean the piercing site for the first few days of piercing. Do not remove the jewelry in haste. The piercing site would get closed shortly and again you have to go for another piercing. Instead you can wait patiently and continue with cleaning process.
Healing Time :
How much time can a piercing require for complete healing? It varies from one person to the other. But generally it may take 2-3 days for the wound to heal. The outer skin layer may look fine but the inner layers can be weak still. It is necessary for you to clean the piercing site twice a day to prevent any infection.
It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry during the time of healing. Just spend few minutes for cleaning and pat it dry. You will be fine with jewelry in another 2-3 days. Don’t go for medication unless you are sure that it is an infection. You can still wait patiently for couple of days and allow time for natural healing.
What To Avoid ?
- Avoid cleaning the area frequently.
- Avoid touching the piercing site.
- Avoid eating hot/spicy foods if you have done oral piercing.
- Avoid sex totally if you have oral or genital piercing.
- Avoid using harsh soaps and alcohol containing liquids.
- Avoid rubbing the area with clothing, brush, combs or any material since it can delay the healing process.
- Avoid stress.
- Avoid using public pools for few days.
- Avoid using cosmetic products in and around the site of piercing till it heals completely.
- Avoid changing the jewelry before the healing period.
- Avoid smoking and drinking.
Specific Problems :
The below mentioned problems are very rare in occurrence after piercing. Earlobes and other areas of the ear. If left untreated after getting infection pus can form in the piercing site. From the wound yellowish liquid can get discharged and pour into the ear canal. This can interfere with the normal function of the ears. Cartilage piercing can take longer time for healing.
Eyebrows :
If there is severe wound and irritation caused by infection it is likely to be passed on to the eyes inviting more complications.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Body Piercings :
Tongue or Oral Piercing :
This can become serious if infection is not treated early. Bacterial infection can easily spread from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach. In rare cases the jewelry may get loose and can be swallowed with food. This can cause more complications including choking, shortness of breath and may require surgery for removal. Sometimes the jewelry may get snug with the tongue layer thus tearing the skin in the process. This may also require surgical removal.
Navel Piercing :
Infection can spread from the wounded site through the umbilical cord into the vital organs causing more problems. Antibiotics are to be taken if you develop infection.
Genital Piercing :
- You may have problem with passing urine. Even after healing it can be difficult to have sex.
- Infection can spread from the piercing site to the interior parts of the genitals causing complications.
- Use waterproof bandages on the jewelry to avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of the partner.
- Maintaining hygiene can become difficult in private parts.