Infection is one of the biggest fears clients have — and one of the most misunderstood.
A client once came in convinced their piercing was infected. It was red, sore, and producing discharge. They’d been cleaning it multiple times a day, twisting it to “stop it sticking,” and checking it constantly.
When we assessed it, there were no signs of infection. What we saw was irritation caused by over-cleaning and constant movement.
True infections are relatively rare when piercings are done professionally and cared for properly. Most issues people worry about are irritation — the body reacting to trauma, pressure, or unsuitable jewellery.
Common causes of real infection include:
-
Touching the piercing with unwashed hands
-
Changing jewellery too early
-
Poor-quality or incorrect materials
-
Trauma during healing
In that client’s case, we simplified their aftercare, changed the jewellery length, and told them to stop interfering with it. Within a week, the piercing was noticeably calmer.
Knowing the difference between irritation and infection matters. Overreacting can cause more harm than doing nothing.
If something feels genuinely wrong — intense pain, heat, spreading redness, thick discharge — speak to a professional early. Guessing or waiting usually makes things harder to fix.
