Now that piercings are more common than ever, these days it is easy to spot someone with more than one piercing, say eyebrow, nose, lip or tongue—piercings are not limited to just the ears anymore.  

Which is why it would be wise to not take this trend lightly. There should be concerns and caution before getting one, and a load of aftercare. 

Different traditions and cultures have their beliefs and views about piercings, and there are many myths and fears surrounding the practice, including piercings that refuse to heal. 

Today, we look at some of the ways to avoid problems after getting a piercing, and how to get it to heal fast.

Risks and aftercare

According to the US non-profit education and research organisation Mayo Clinic, there are more than six avoidable risks caused by one’s piercing site.

Among the risks are blood borne diseases that could occur. If the equipment used to do the piercing is contaminated with infected blood, one can contract various diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus, and HIV.

It is important to maintain good personal hygiene when you get a new piercing done. Photos/Net

Skin infections might cause redness, pain, swelling, or a pus-like discharge after a piercing.

Allergic reactions. Some piercing jewellery—particularly pieces made of nickel—can cause allergic reactions.

Trauma. Jewellery can get caught and torn out accidentally, requiring stitches or some other kind of patch-up.

According to Jane Kamanzi, a 28-year-old piercing artist, there are more hazards and risks in piercing than one can imagine, but the good news is that they are all possibly prevented once one takes care of the pierced tissue.

Kamanzi has done this, specifically children’s piercing, for 11 years, and it has always been successful in regards to wound healing; some call it a result of having a lucky hand, she says. 

But there is always a cause for any problem that every piercing brings. If you care for the piercing, the chances are high that it will take fewer days than a regular wound would to heal completely. 

"Before you get a piercing, think carefully about it. Consider the piercing’s placement and whether you’ll be able to conceal it if necessary; this will help you to be prepared and take the appropriate steps to heal the piercing promptly,” says Kamanzi.

Do not attempt to pierce yourself or enable an inexperienced friend to do so. Visit a reputed piercing studio with appropriately trained personnel, she advises.

Maintain the health of your piercing. The skin around a new piercing may be puffy, red, and sensitive for a few days. It may bleed a little. If the swelling, redness, and bleeding persist, consult your doctor.

Contact your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days. Providing treatment as soon as possible can assist to avoid potentially dangerous effects.

Swimming should be avoided. While your piercing heals, stay away from pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, experts recommend.

Do not mess around with your piercings. Don’t touch it or twist the jewellery if you’re cleaning a new piercing. Also, keep your clothing away from the piercing. Excessive rubbing or friction can irritate the skin and cause it to heal more slowly.

Maintain the jewellery’s position. Most piercings heal in six weeks or less, but some may take months or even years to recover. Leave the jewellery in place throughout this time, even at night, to prevent the piercing from shutting up.

Clean skin piercings. If you’ve had your skin pierced, make sure it’s clean. Twice a day, clean the site with soap and water. Before cleaning your piercing site, make sure you wash your hands.

In terms of selecting the proper medical supplements or any other odd, frightening situations, awareness of the medical accessories that can be used after piercing is crucial because some may cause allergies or unpleasant skin changes. It is always advisable to seek professional advice.

With oral piercings getting more popular, Slave to the Needle, a group of skilled people who discuss ideas about tattoos, on their website, give tips for oral piercing aftercare: 

• Avoid drinking alcohol during healing.

• Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol during healing.

• Avoid "whitening” toothpaste or mouthwash during healing.

• Avoid spicy or salty foods.

• Do drink ice water to keep swelling down.

• Do drink water after meals, smoking or drinking anything other than water.