3 Ways to Take Care of a Nipple Piercing

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3 Ways to Take Care of a Nipple Piercing
3 Ways to Take Care of a Nipple Piercing

Video: 3 Ways to Take Care of a Nipple Piercing

Video: 3 Ways to Take Care of a Nipple Piercing
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Nipple piercing can be done to express yourself, to improve sensitivity or for cosmetic reasons. Regardless of the reason, this type of piercing always inspires attention and care, which should be even greater in the healing phase. Cleaning can be tedious, but aftercare is necessary if you are to maintain good health and avoid infection, irritation, or rejection.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Taking Care of a Fresh Piercing

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 1
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 1

Step 1. Clean it twice a day

It takes three to six months for a pierced nipple to heal, and it can take even longer without proper care or in the case of an infection. The longer the time since piercing, the less often you will need to clean it.

  • Clean the piercing only with a sterile solution or saline solution.
  • If you clean the piercing too much or use strong products, the area will be irritated and will take longer to heal.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 2
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 2

Step 2. Do not participate in sexual activities that involve the nipple or piercing

Saliva can contain bacteria, which in turn can cause infections. As extreme as such measures may sound, be aware that an infection would incur a much bigger problem and a much longer healing period. Take precautions to cure the piercing, and your body will thank you.

In addition to saliva, one should also avoid touching, smoothing or rubbing the region

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 3
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 3

Step 3. Use clean, well-ventilated fabrics

You will probably feel more comfortable wearing a sports top, tank top, or shirt. Cotton is the most desirable fabric as it is well ventilated and able to absorb sweat, which makes it less likely that germs will proliferate in the area and cause an infection.

  • Wash and change sheets once a week.
  • Sleeping in a tight-fitting sports bra or tank top prevents the piercing from clinging to the blanket or sheets.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 4
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 4

Step 4. Know what is normal

As the piercing heals, you will notice some discoloration and stiffness around the piercing. The body may secrete a whitish yellow fluid and a scab may form around the jewelry. This is all normal. These scabs, which come off easily with warm water, can form even after healing.

Pay attention to the amount of secretion and scabs that form. This will help you know what is normal for you

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 5
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 5

Step 5. Look for signs of infection

Redness, unusual swelling, itching, burning, persistent irritation or pain of constant intensity are signs of infection. And if you don't have an infection, you may be hypersensitive to the products you use to clean your piercing or jewelry material.

  • Pay attention to the signals given off by the body. If you feel something is not right, investigate the problem thoroughly.
  • If there is an unpleasant smell, a change in the color of the pus, or an increase in the intensity with which it is eliminated, an infection is likely.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 6
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 6

Step 6. Go to the doctor or professional who performed the perforation

Seek professional help when you notice any signs of infection. It is important not to remove the jewelry if you suspect the site is infected, as this would not automatically cure the infection. Leave it as it is until you see the doctor or body piercer.

  • Contact a professional at the first sign of infection. The longer you wait, the worse it will get.
  • You may be advised to remove the piercing, take antibiotics, or undergo surgery. Most infections can only be treated with antibiotics.

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning a Nipple Piercing

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 7
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 7

Step 1. Wash your hands

It is necessary to wash them well before every cleaning: wet them, soap them and rub them for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap and water available, you can clean them with alcohol for your hands. However, this last alternative won't leave your hands as clean as the first.

  • Without washing your hands beforehand, germs and bacteria lodged in your hands can infect the piercing.
  • Instead of counting to 20, you can hum 'Happy Birthday' twice.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 8
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 8

Step 2. Clean the piercing in the shower

Apply some soap to your hands, lather them and apply it to the piercing. Once this is done, rinse it well, without leaving any foam or residue.

  • Use colorless, odorless soap. Aggressive products could irritate the skin around the piercing.
  • Do not apply the soap directly to the piercing area, nor let it act for more than 30 seconds.
  • Do not soap the area more than twice a day.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 9
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 9

Step 3. Soak the piercing in saline solution

A saline bath is the best alternative for cleaning the piercing: mix 1/4 teaspoon of pure, non-iodized sea salt with 1 cup of distilled water in a clean glass. Lean forward over the cup to fully immerse the nipple in the water. By pushing the mouth of the cup against the body, you will create a suction effect that will prevent the solution from leaking out. This can be done with you standing or sitting.

  • Leave the piercing immersed in the solution for 5~10 minutes or more.
  • Heat the water in the microwave before placing it on the nipple. The temperature shouldn't burn the skin, but the warmer the water the better.
  • Discard the solution from the cup when finished.
  • Soak the piercing in saline solution twice a day or, if healing is difficult, more often.
  • You can make 1 liter of the solution and leave it in the fridge. Just heat up the amount needed for each soak. To prepare a large amount, just mix 4 teaspoons of salt with 4 liters of distilled water.
  • After four weeks, clean the piercing every two to three days.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 10
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 10

Step 4. Use saline solution

This is a pre-mixed sterile saline solution. It is the second best cleaning method. Spray it on the nipple, completely covering the piercing. This solution does not need to be rinsed off.

  • The most popular brands of saline solution are H2Ocean and SteriWash, among the imported ones, or Dauf and Equiplex, among the national ones.
  • Do not apply the serum with a cotton or flexible swab. You need to apply it directly to the skin.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 11
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 11

Step 5. Dry the piercing

Once the cleaning is done, gently palpate the area with a clean, disposable paper product. Fabric towels can harbor bacteria and stick to the piercing. There is no need to rotate the jewelry during cleaning.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Infections

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 12
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 12

Step 1. Do not clean the piercing with harsh chemicals

Avoid using Betadine, Hibiclens, Bactine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and aggressive soaps like Dial. Avoid cleansers that contain benzalkonium chloride (BZK) and antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin and bacitracin, whose composition contains petroleum jelly, which will keep the wound site moist and favor the proliferation of bacteria.

  • These cleansers and ointments will make it difficult to heal and make it difficult to ventilate the wound.
  • Also avoid using personal care products (lotions, shampoos, conditioners) in piercing. Whoever is going to clean the piercing in the shower should do it only after washing their hair and using any other products.
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 13
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 13

Step 2. Don't mess with the piercing

Although tempting, poking and playing with the piece should be avoided. During the healing period, do not touch it except when cleaning it. Furthermore, do not twist or twist the jewelry.

Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 14
Care for a Nipple Piercing Step 14

Step 3. Keep the piercing very dry

Dry it right after you get out of the shower or finish cleaning it. Change frequently and don't leave sweaty or tight clothing in contact with the piercing for prolonged periods. Dry it with a clean, disposable utensil (a paper towel or cotton ball, for example). Towels contain bacteria.

  • Do not immerse the piercing in lakes, swimming pools or hot tubs. It would be better not to swim until you are completely healed.
  • If swimming is required, secure the garment with waterproof bandages and clean it as soon as you are finished.

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