If a piercing is infected; should you TAKE out the jewlery or keep it in!?

Question

Okay, so I recently wrote in a question about what you should do with an infected piercing. Needless to say, I did what most suggested I went to see a Doctor. He gave me antibiotics and told me to go see the piercer and to let her take it out. (Hence, TAKE IT OUT). When I went to see her, she said "NO WAY!" and that you should never take out the jewlery of an infected piercing, something about trapping in the infection... (I actually heard that you shouldn't somewhere else...) So basically my question is simple; has anyone here with or without a piercing ever heard if you should or shouldn't take out a body piercing jewlery if it's infected, or should you keep it in until it's healed??? Hope my question makes sense...
Thanks! ;)

Answer 1

OK, I'm responding in 2 ways. The first is with personal experience with just ear piercing. I did not take out the piercing; instead, I used rubbing alcohol on the ear daily and placed antibiotic ointment on the post of the earring daily before placing it back into the hole. It took a while, but my holes eventually healed so well I have had no further infections in 30 years.

That said, you are really talking about body piercing and I think perhaps defering to the doctor's expertise is the issue here. The reason is this ... none of us know where the infection is on your body, how bad that infection is, etc. In many cases, people pierce things which may be tender and are vital aspects of other parts of the body. For instance, the tongue is very necessary for normal activity (talking, eating, drinking, ice cream enjoyment). Eyebrow piercings are very close to the eyes. Belly button piercings are near the intestines. In these situations, your doctor may well have additional knowledge the common piercer, you, and all the rest of us out here do not have.

As far as the trapped infection is concerned, ballyhoo ... it's called removal of foreigh object, like taking out a bullet or a splinter.

I once worked for an ear piercing company and I have to tell you ... they are way too skittish about body piercings, because of the way the blood, cartilage, and the immune system react to infection. At all times, they defered to doctor judgement. While the doc may be acting in too cautious a manner, it is being done so to reduce your pain, risk of further infection, and ultimate health -- although in all honesty, he's also watching out for malpractice too.

Good luck -- I hope you make the best decision for yourself.

Answer 2

Your doctor was right, and your piercer is practicing medicine without a license. Take it out, and let the infection go away. It got infected most probably from your piercer's less-than-hygienic business. The only thing is that you may lose the hole for your piercing as your body recovers from the infection, it's a hell of a lot better than having to have a chunk of meat cut off you when the infection begins to spread.

Answer 3

I would leave it in. In my experience, no bacteria can survive rubbing alcohol. Give it a good scrubbing with isopropyl once or twice a day. It might hurt, but it's cheaper than a doctor, unless the bacteria or its constituent toxins have travelled into the bloodstream, which will be noticeable, and you would need to see a doctor right away.

Answer 4

I personally kept my earrings in when the holes became infected. I cleaned them regularly and the infection went away. The only downside is that one of the holes is slightly bigger than the other

Answer 5

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I DID NOT TAKE MY PIERCING OUT I DID NOT GO THREW SO MUCH PAIN OF GETTING IT PIERCED TO JUST TAKE IT OUT ... WELL I NEVER HEARD OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT IT MAKES SENSE DON'T TAKE IT OUT LOOK IF THE PERSON THAT PIERCED IT TOLD YOU NOT TO DON'T HE KNOWS MORE THAN A DOCTOR YOU KNOW , DOCTORS DON'T PIERCE DAILY AND STUFF I THINK HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS SAYING !!

HEY WELL I RECOMMEND IODINE IT REALLY WORKS BELIEVE ME MY BELLYBUTTON WAS INFECTED FOR LIKE FIVE MONTHS AND AFTER MY BOYFRIEND GOT IODINE FOR ME IT GOT BETTER IN LIKE A WEEK IT WAS AMAZING WELL TRY IT ITS CHEAP AND IT WORKS AND USE IT DAILY !!!
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT

Answer 6

I'm a nurse and have many piercings as well. It is up to you if you want to keep the piercing or not. Do what you feel is best.

Answer 7

piecing has to be taken out
zinc as supplement is required
drink sage tea to stop inflammation
pamper coocnut oil or coconut creme on infected area

Answer 8

you have to take it out right away.