Homemade Saline Solution:Stir 1/8 teaspoon (0. 7 g) of non-iodized salt in 1 cup (240 ml) of warm distilled water until the salt dissolves. Don’t buy a solution that’s designed for contact lenses since it may be too harsh for your piercing.
Keep your new piercing out of water that could be dirty, such as lakes, pools, or hot tubs. This can minimize your risk of infection.
Some medical professionals recommend gently turning the jewelry while your skin is wet to help the saline work into the piercing. Never twist the jewelry while your skin is dry or you could slow the healing process. If your body piercing can be submerged, lower it into homemade saline solution and soak for about 5 minutes. To submerge your piercing, fill your tub with a few inches of water and stir in salt until it’s diluted. You could also use a sitz bath to soak genital piercings.
Don’t use a cloth towel even if it’s clean. Cloth towels can catch on the jewelry and they may have bacteria on them that could get into the piercing site.
For example, pierced ears take up to 4 months to heal while a naval, genital, or nipple piercing takes up to 6 months. Most oral or facial piercings will heal within 8 weeks.
Some of these products contain alcohol which will dry out your skin. This can make dead skin cells build up to form crusty material near the piercing site.
Loose clothing will also allow air to circulate which can prevent infection and help the site heal.
Find ways to manage stress, so your body can focus on healing. You might try yoga, meditation, listening to music, or going for a walk. If your piercing is somewhere on your head, put clean, soft pillowcases on your pillows so the jewelry won’t become irritated as you sleep.
If you still want to take a bath, clean the bathtub thoroughly before you get in. Prevent soap or shampoo from getting into the piercing and rinse your skin once you get out.
Avoid sweetened beverages since they won’t help promote a healthy immune system.
Remember that your body will treat the piercing like a wound and will begin to heal itself. Go easy on yourself for a few days to give your body a good chance to recover.
You should also avoid applying makeup or beauty products, such as lotions or sprays. These can irritate the piercing site as it’s trying to heal. If you do play with the jewelry, it may take longer for your piercing to heal.
Continued bleeding or tenderness Swelling Pain Yellow or green discharge Fever
If you remove the jewelry, the piercing site may close up, which can make it harder to treat the infection.
