Nipple piercing is a bold choice, and it can be risky. If you are wondering and searching for information about nipple piercing, you should know its risks to avoid complications and nipple piercing infections. Nipples are a sensitive part of our body, so nipple piercing infections are common. Nipple piercing is not as easy as traditional ear piercing and is prone to infections and complications.
Infected nipple piercing infections are more severe because they can be related to more serious problems. Various preventive measures are present to avoid nipple piercing. However, the infection can develop even after a year of piercing. So, immense care is required to keep nipple piercing safe and healthy. In this article, we will share symptoms, treatments, homemade remedies, tips, and health hazards of nipple piercing infections.
Difference Between Infected Nipple Piercing And Irritated Piercing
Are my nipple piercings infected or healing? In the initial days, irritation in piercing is common. Infected nipple piercing and irritated piercing are two different issues.
👉Irritated piercing turns red, and you may feel pain when touching it. An increase in irritation can occur if you touch the area. If you leave no cloth or restriction around this piercing and expose it to air, its irritation may increase. Irritated nipple piercing does not need treatment and simply disappears after a few days.
👉Are nipple piercings prone to infection? Yes, infected nipple piercings are common. Now how can you tell if a nipple piercing is infected? If your irritated nipple piercing does not heal with time, it’s called an infected nipple piercing. In infected nipple piercing, along with the above symptoms, you may also have the following nipple piercing infected signs.
- The first infected nipple piercing signs are that the piercing area is warm and red
- The infected piercing area is extremely sensitive to touch
- You will see a green or yellow discharge
- The nipple piercing to be infected if swollen
- Odour
- Pimple pain
Other signs of nipple piercing infection also include fever and fatigue.
🦠Causes Of Infected Nipple Piercings
Germs and bacteria cause nipple piercing infection symptoms. Mostly these micro-organisms touch your nipple piercing through frequent contact with clothes. If you wear any cloth having germs on your piercing area, you can develop infected nipple piercing.
Unlike ear piercing, nipple piercing is mostly covered with tight clothes. These tight clothes can tangle in jewellery or cause irritation and infection in nipple piercing. Any bodily fluid like saliva can also cause infection in piercing. Your infected piercing area should also not remain wet for long. For example, sweating in summer can also cause infection. So, take care of your piercing area.
- Wear clean and loose clothes.
- Keep the piercing area dry.
- Clean your piercing daily.
Types Of Nipple Piercing Infections
Can a nipple piercing get infected after years? Yes, even after your nipple piercing is healed, the infection risk remains. The risks of nipple piercing infection are long-term. You can go through the following infections.
- Keloids
- Headache
- Scars
- Bleeding
- Problems in breastfeeding after infected nipple piercing
The risk of breast tissue infection from nipple piercing is also present. In most cases, nipple piercing infections are localized infections. However, in some badly infected nipple piercing cases, it can spread beyond your breast area and be seriously dangerous. These dangerous nipple piercing infections include bloodstream infections and endocarditis or infection of heart valves in people who have abnormal heart structure history.
😱Can a nipple piercing infection kill you? The answer is not in usual cases. However, in extreme cases, when it infects heart valves, there are chances that infected nipple piercing may lead to death.
Nipple Infection From Piercing Self-Diagnoses
How do you know if your nipple piercing is infected? Nipple-piercing infection symptoms are the only way for you to perform a self-diagnosis. Check yourself first. It’s easy to diagnose symptoms when they are clear. For example, if your piercing has pus, then it’s a clear sign that your nipple piercing is infected.
You can also go to your piercer for advice. Choose any reputable piercer in your nearby piercing shops. They can also diagnose infection in your piercing and also suggest jewellery material suitable for you.
If you are unsure about infected nipple piercing symptoms, you can contact your doctor. Do not wait too long for a diagnosis because it can prolong the infection. It can increase the risk of spreading infection and turn into a serious complication.
If you diagnose infected nipple piercing symptoms, take action instantly. Immediate infected nipple piercing treatment stops further complications and risks.
How To Treat An Infected Nipple Piercing?
🤔Do you wonder: Can I take my nipple piercing out if it’s infected? You cannot remove jewellery, pinch and cut to avoid infection. These actions can cause further complications. The best way to treat infected nipple piercing is to consult a doctor.
✅ However, you can try the following tips and home remedies for nipple piercing infections.
1- Clean The Infected Nipple Piercing Area
Many people do not know how to clean a nipple piercing infection area; they may worsen the infection instead of treating it. The correct way to clean infected nipple piercings is to wash your hands first. After that, gently clean the piercing area and dry it. Use good quality soap to clean it.
Do not use harsh soap or soaps that contain hydrogen peroxide. Do not apply cleanser or any detergent on the piercing area. Keep the infected area dry and airy. Wear loose clothes.
2-Warm Compressor Or Sea Salt Bath🦠
Treating an infected nipple piercing with a warm compressor can soothe it, and you will see improvements if your infection is small. Also, try soaking your infected nipple piercing in sea salt water. Do not use table salt or Epsom salt for infected nipple piercing.
3- Apply Coconut Oil On The Infected Nipple Piercing
🛢️Coconut oil and almond oil are highly beneficial for piercing. Apply oil during the first two months regularly. Both of these oils contain natural properties like anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Apply the oil once or twice daily.
Try the above three home remedies for infected nipple piercing. You will see improvements in a few days. However, there are many don`ts as well. For example, you should not remove the jewellery because it can cause an abscess. Also, do not overuse anti-biotic cream for infected nipple piercing.
Preventive Measures To Avoid Nipple Piercing Infections
🦠Preventive measures are necessary to achieve safe and dream piercings. It’s essential to follow the instructions of your piercer. The piercer can advise you about jewellery material. They can also recognize your infection and recommend you go to a doctor.
Use the above home remedies to treat your irritated piercing. If your symptoms increase or persist, take it seriously. Contact your doctor if you develop an infected nipple piercing. A doctor can recommend the best antibiotic for nipple piercing infection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nipple piercing is not a simple piercing. If you want to get it, be aware of the severe complications and risks. Infected nipple piercing can be caused by various germs and bacteria. Wearing clean clothes and keeping the place dry can reduce the irritation of piercing. Irritation is a separate issue from a nipple piercing. Severe infection causes swelling and redness, and pus. These conditions can go extreme and affect the bloodstream and heart valves. Consultation with a doctor is mandatory if you notice severe symptoms. Some home remedies can soothe infection. By taking proper care, you can save your piercing from any severe issue.