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how do you prevent piercings them becoming infected

Anonymous #1

What else do I need to know before getting one

Reply 1

Tracey_W

Original post by Anonymous

What else do I need to know before getting one

How to prevent infections in new piercings
Do
choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer

clean your piercing twice a day

use warm, salty water to soften any crusting

gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing

use a clean paper towel to dry the piercing

gargle with salty water or an alcohol-free mouthwash if you have a mouth piercing

Don’t
do not do your own piercings (you're much more likely to get an infection)

do not use cotton wool to clean the piercing (use a cotton bud or pad)

do not pick at any crusting

do not twist or turn jewellery when the piercing is dry

do not use a towel to dry the piercing

do not have sex until a genital piercing has healed

do not have oral sex until a mouth piercing has healed

do not go swimming for the first 24 hours after a piercing

Things to ask your piercer
If you're thinking about getting a piercing, ask the piercer:

to explain what they're going to do
whether there are any risks
how to care for your piercing
how long it will take to heal