Nipple piercings are considered a fashionable accessory and an alternative way to decorate your body, but the risk of getting an infection is around the corner, especially if the necessary hygiene practices are not followed. Wash your hands whenever you need to touch your piercing and gently clean it when you shower. Also, the first few weeks post-piercing are crucial and extra care will be needed during this time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Post-Piercing Maintenance
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before touching the nipple piercing, always wash your hands with antibacterial soap (even if it is completely healed). If you don't, you could get a big infection!
- Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water before touching your piercing for any reason.
- Avoid touching the piercing for the first few weeks, except to clean it.
Step 2. Remove any scabs
If you see scabs forming around the open wound, gently remove them. It is preferable to do this in the shower, so that they are softened by the water, and therefore easier to remove. With your finger or a cotton swab, pat the area around the nipple and try to clean it completely.
- Do not turn the ring too much while removing the scabs, limit yourself to the movements necessary for cleaning. Avoid turning it completely through the piercing.
- Follow this procedure with extreme caution, as a sudden movement could cause further injury to the skin, requiring additional healing time, or even causing an infection.
Step 3. Make a solution of water and sea salt
Pour about one gram of non-iodized sea salt into a cup containing 250 ml of warm distilled water. Let the salt dissolve, then soak a paper towel with this solution and place it over the nipple. Let the liquid absorb for about 5-10 minutes; do this every day.
- You can also try flipping the cup with the salt mixture over the nipple, creating a kind of vacuum, and then lying down while the solution works. In this case you should be very careful not to spill the water.
- Take these precautions daily for the first two weeks after getting the piercing done. After this time, you can switch to regular shower cleaning, but at the slightest hint of irritation or infection, start using this procedure again.
- Use only distilled water, as tap water contains impurities that could trigger infections.
- You can also use sterile saline in ready-made bottles (this saline is different from the one used for contact lenses) for cleaning the piercing. Suitability for wound treatment is usually indicated on the packaging.
- Do not use denatured alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments.
Step 4. Avoid contact with the piercing
During the first few days after the piercing (perhaps even a couple of weeks) the nipple will be tender and swollen. To speed up the healing process, avoid any kind of shock or chafing.
- Wear comfortable clothes and avoid bras that are too tight and rough. Do not wear tight-fitting clothing.
- If you feel the need for extra protection, try using the pads used for the period of breastfeeding; they will help protect the piercing while waiting for it to heal.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping the Piercing Clean
Step 1. Use a mild soap when taking a shower
Every time you shower, wash your nipple and piercing with a mild liquid soap. Pour a small amount on your fingers and clean the piercing by slowly twisting the ring (or sliding the bar). Rinse it thoroughly and thoroughly while in the shower, as soap residue can cause irritation.
- Avoid soaps that contain perfumes, dyes, or other added ingredients that could irritate the nipple.
- Again, don't use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments.
Step 2. Pat the piercing dry
Use a paper towel to dry your nipple and piercing after a shower. If they stay wet after a shower, they will be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, especially if you wear tight clothes. Make sure the piercing is completely dry before putting on any clothing.
It is advisable to use a paper towel each time to dry the piercing. Towels can be sources of bacteria and using them on an open wound could cause annoying infections
Step 3. See your doctor if you suspect an infection
If you notice any signs of infection, seek medical advice immediately. An infected nipple could cause numerous problems for you and your body. Make sure you don't notice these symptoms:
- Green or yellow pus leaking from the piercing
- Persistent swelling for several weeks (or recurring)
- Excessive redness or pain
- A large lump in the breast or around the nipple.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing the Right Jewels
Step 1. Use a ring
Immediately after the piercing is done, ask the piercer to use a ring instead of a finger. At first the area around the nipple will swell, and the finger may pull; also the ring will be easier to clean, as you will be able to turn it through the incision.
If you want, you can put on a bar after a couple of months; just wait for the healing to be complete
Step 2. Choose surgical steel
It is very important to use only sterile surgical steel jewelry immediately after surgery. This way you will avoid infections and the healing process will be faster. The nipple is a very sensitive area and needs proper care.
Jewelry made from other materials could irritate the wound and cause infection
Step 3. Get advice from a professional piercer
Make sure the procedure is done by an accredited professional piercer. This generally means that he is in possession of a training certification completed under the guidance of a qualified piercer. You will find these professionals in specialized centers.
