From the Guidelines
Piercing removal is not always necessary for infected piercings, but it depends on the severity of the infection. For mild infections, keeping the jewelry in place while treating the infection is often recommended, as removing it may allow the hole to close and potentially trap the infection inside 1.
Key Considerations
- Clean the piercing twice daily with saline solution or use pre-made sterile saline wound wash.
- Apply warm compresses for 5-10 minutes before cleaning to help draw out discharge.
- Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments as these can irritate the area. However, if the infection is severe—characterized by significant swelling, intense pain, spreading redness, fever, or pus discharge—you should seek medical attention immediately 1.
Severe Infections
- A healthcare provider may recommend removing the jewelry and prescribe oral antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin for 7-10 days, as these pathogens often respond well to fluoroquinolone antibiotic treatment 1.
- If an abscess is present, surgical incision and drainage often are necessary 1. The reason for this approach is that mild infections can often be managed with proper care while keeping the piercing intact, but severe infections require more aggressive treatment to prevent complications like abscess formation or systemic infection 1.
From the Research
Infected Piercings and Removal
- Infected piercings can be a serious complication, and removal of the piercing may be necessary in some cases 2.
- A study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported a case where dermal piercings were removed due to infection, and the procedure was successful in minimizing tissue damage 2.
- However, not all studies specifically address the removal of piercings for infection, and more research may be needed to fully understand the best course of treatment.
Treatment of Infected Piercings
- Infected piercings can be caused by bacteria, and treatment may involve antibiotics 3, 4.
- A study published in Pediatrics compared the effectiveness of two antibiotics, cephalexin and clindamycin, in treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, including those caused by MRSA 5.
- The study found that both antibiotics were effective in treating the infections, and that close follow-up and proper wound care were important factors in successful treatment 5.
Complications of Piercings
- Piercings can be associated with various complications, including infections, and these complications can be acute or chronic, infectious or non-infectious, and local or systemic 6.
- Oral piercings are particularly prone to complications, and a non-judgmental approach is recommended when treating patients with piercing-related complications 6.