Aftercare when the piercing does not heal properly
There are many factors that affect how a piercing heals; location, technique, jewelry type and dimensions, anatomy, physiology, aftercare, lifestyle, diet, etc. Of course, we always strive for a complication-free healing time, but sometimes things can arise that require a little extra treatment to get the process back on track.
If you suspect that your piercing is not doing well, you should first contact us so that we can try to find out what the cause may be. The best thing is if you can come to our office for an appointment. If this is not possible, you can send us sharp and well-lit photos along with some information about when you got it, how it has been treated, and what may have happened, to our email, and we will try to find out that way.
Below are some different treatments we usually suggest, varying slightly depending on what the problem may be caused by.
Chamomile wrap
Warm compresses dilate the blood vessels in the area around the piercing, increasing blood flow. This brings
It brings white blood cells and nutrients to the wound faster, and transports away waste products. In addition, chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Chamomile compresses should be done at least once a day, and preferably morning and evening.
This is what you do:
-Boil water and steep a bag of pure chamomile tea (available at a regular store or health food store).
-Dip a couple of clean compresses (available at the pharmacy) into the tea, let them cool enough so you don't scald your skin, and place them around the piercing.
-Once the compresses have cooled down, you can remove them and gently dry with a clean compress or q-tip.
Antiseptic cream/ointment (Pyrisept)
If there is bacterial growth around the piercing, it may need help from antiseptics from the pharmacy. In Norway, Pyrisept is the most common. It is best to use a cream rather than an ointment so as not to clog the pores with the oil, but unfortunately Norwegian pharmacies no longer have an alternative in cream form. Therefore, it is important not to apply too thickly.
This is what you do:
-Clean the piercing gently with a q-tip soaked in Pyrisept solution.
-Gently wipe dry with a clean q-tip.
-Apply a thin layer of Pyrisept ointment with a new clean q-tip. It is not necessary to try to get the ointment into the hole.
Do this once or twice a day for the period recommended by your piercer. This treatment should not be used for more than 1-2 weeks. If the treatment does not work, we will have to try something else.
Zinc ointment
Zinc oxide is both anti-inflammatory and mildly antiseptic, and can help dry out the skin. It forms a protective layer against moisture, and you will therefore see residue from the ointment after cleansing. It is important that you do not cleanse too hard to remove this.
This is what you do:
-Clean the piercing gently with a q-tip soaked in saline solution.
-Gently wipe dry with a clean q-tip.
-Apply a very thin layer of zinc ointment with a new clean q-tip. There is no need to try to get the ointment into the hole.
Do this once a day in the evening for the period recommended by the piercer. This treatment should not be used for more than 2 weeks. If the treatment does not work, we will have to try something else.
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