What to Do If Your Piercing Gets Infected
Short answer: Mild redness, swelling and clear fluid are normal in the first days after a piercing. But redness and swelling that increase over several days, throbbing pain, foul-smelling yellow-green or pus-like discharge, fever and warmth around the area are signs of infection. If that happens, don't remove the jewelry yourself or use strong creams or antibiotics on your own; contact your piercer and, above all, see a doctor.
Important note: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you suspect an infection, always see a healthcare professional.
A piercing is an open wound in the skin. Infection is rare in a piercing that was done well and cared for well. Still, it's important to know the difference between irritation and infection.
Normal healing, irritation or infection?
- Normal healing: Signs: Mild redness, swelling, clear or pale yellow fluid and crusting in the first days · What to do: Keep it clean and follow the aftercare instructions
- Irritation: Signs: Redness or a bump caused by friction, the wrong jewelry or the wrong product · What to do: Remove the source of irritation and talk to your piercer
- Infection: Signs: Increasing redness and swelling, warmth, throbbing pain, pus-like and foul-smelling discharge, fever · What to do: See a doctor
My piercing is swollen. What should I do?
Swelling is normal in the first days. Keep an eye on it:
- If the swelling goes down within a few days, that's normal.
- If the swelling is growing and comes with pain and warmth, consider infection.
- If the jewelry seems to be sinking into the skin, contact your piercer right away; the jewelry needs to be long enough to allow for swelling.
What is a piercing bump?
Sometimes a small blister or bump forms next to the piercing hole. Common causes:
- Friction and pressure (sleeping on it, hats, headphones)
- Jewelry that is too short or poor quality
- Twisting and moving the jewelry
- The wrong cleaning product
- Allergies
- Changing jewelry too early
A bump usually points to irritation, not infection. Don't squeeze or pick at it yourself. Find and remove the cause, and talk to your piercer.
What not to do if it gets infected
- Don't take the jewelry out: If you remove the piercing, the hole can close and trap the infection inside. Leave that decision to a healthcare professional.
- Don't use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or harsh antiseptics: They damage the tissue.
- Don't take antibiotics on your own.
- Don't apply thick ointment: It seals the area and stops it from breathing.
- Don't pick at it or squeeze it.
What you should do
- Keep it clean: Clean gently with the sterile saline solution your piercer recommends.
- Cut down on touching and friction.
- Talk to your piercer: Have the jewelry length and placement checked.
- If the symptoms are serious, see a doctor.
- Track how it's going: Taking photos helps.
Emergency warning signs
Seek medical care without delay if you have:
- A high fever or chills
- Redness spreading fast, or red streaks
- Very severe pain and swelling
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow (especially around the tongue and mouth)
- Weakness and feeling generally unwell
Preventing infection
- Get pierced in a hygienic place, with a sterile needle.
- Use the right, quality jewelry.
- Follow the aftercare instructions. How to Care for a Piercing
- Touch it only with clean hands.
- Reduce friction and pressure.
- Avoid pools, the sea and hot tubs while it heals.
- Don't change the jewelry too early.
Choosing the right place
The best protection is choosing a hygienic, experienced piercer. In the TattooVerseCo Studios section you can check the sterilization information and reviews on studio profiles, and in the Artists section the galleries and reviews of artists who do piercings. For the different kinds of piercings, see Types of Piercings and Their Names.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take my jewelry out if my piercing gets infected?
Don't remove it yourself. The hole may close and trap the infection; talk to a doctor and your piercer.
Why does my piercing itch?
Itching is normal during healing. But if it comes with redness, swelling and discharge, consider irritation or an allergy.
Will a piercing bump go away on its own?
It usually shrinks once the cause of irritation is removed. If it doesn't, talk to your piercer or a doctor.
How long does a piercing infection last?
Left untreated, it can drag on. Early treatment speeds up healing.
My piercing has yellow discharge. Is it infected?
In the first weeks, a pale yellow fluid that dries into a crust can be normal. Thick, green, foul-smelling or heavy discharge can be a sign of infection.
A safe piercing starts with hygiene. Find places that pierce hygienically in the TattooVerseCo Studios and Artists sections.