Piercing Problems

Many people worry about the problems associated with body piercing, there are some very simple things that you can do to avoid such problems, here we will look at some of the more common issues that affect us.

Lumps & Bumps
Not all Lumps and Bumps are Keloid! This is a trap many people fall into (me included!) so lets have a quick look at the more common L&B’s:

Hypertrophic Scarring
Does not extend beyond the original boundary of the wound (unlike Keloid). And will stabilize (or reduce) in size over time. Unlike Keloid, Hypertrophic scarring is not more frequent in any racial group or in family members. I suffered from Hypertrophic Scarring with my Labret piercing, once removed the scarring went, unlike the next problem!!!

Keloid Scarring
This is probably the most common problem that we (as a group) hear about, although it’s a lot less commonplace than Hypertrophic Scarring (which is often reported at Keloid). Keloid scarring is normally caused by irritation, (such a knocking the piercing) the Navel being a prime candidate for Keloid as this particular piercing is liable to irritation from clothes and the like.

But is also more prevalent in certain racial groups and there is thought to be a familial predisposition (if your brother suffered with it you *may* be more likely to suffer too) Keloid appears as a series of red swollen lump(s) around the piercing, (which extent beyond the site of the original trauma a.k.a The Piercing) this may or may not be accompanied by discomfort as well.

Keloid is at the most basic level, skin growing unchecked, there is no 100% prevention, but there are some simple procedures that can help reduce the likelihood of it occurring:

1. Ensure the correct size, type and grade of jewellery is fitted.
2. Remove any source of irritation, such as clothes catching on the jewellery.
3. Stop playing with it! (The Piercing that is!)

There are some other methods that you can try to help alleviate Keloid, these are methods are by no means the last word, and as always; ‘your mileage may vary’ but when you have tried everything else these might just be the only way of keeping that piercing!

1. Wheat-germ oil has been used successfully by many
2. A hot compress applied regularly.
3. Vitamin E topical cream applied to the area affected.
4. Surgery!

The last method is quite an important one, as this is the only way to “get rid” and then you may have unsightly scars for the rest of your life! Always get anything you are worried about, looked at by a suitably qualified person!!!

Infection
This is probably the biggest worry for many people contemplating getting ‘pierced’. But the risk of infection is significantly lower than that of Keloid!

Providing you ensure that a professional in suitable conditions pierces you, then simple aftercare of your piercings is all that is required to keep infections away.

As I always say ‘if you are worried about something, get it checked-out’ you can then take any actions to clear the problem! Infections, when they occur, can be cleared by a course of antibiotics, providing you get to a doctor, leaving this kind of problem will not help!

Rejection
Piercings can ‘reject’ or ‘grow out’ for a number of reasons, some piercings are also more susceptible to rejection. Rejection is quite easy to spot because the piercing literally moves (migrates) towards the surface.

Generally ’surface’ piercings (Eyebrow, Navel, Neck) are more prone to rejection, simply because they are closer to the surface and the tissue is not a ’strong’ as elsewhere. Professional piercers are used to this and can use jewellery to minimise the likelihood of rejection. (Such as PTFE in surface piercings)

Letting the piercing fully settle before attempting to stretch is also very important if you are to avoid rejection.

Cartilage Piercings
The main issue with this type of piercing is that you NEVER EVER have one done by a ‘piercing gun’ I would go as far as saying, “never have any piercing done with a gun” but especially ‘cart’ piercings!

Otherwise the above comments apply to cartilage piercings, keep it clean and try not to aggravate it and you should be fine.