No, the last thing you want to do is remove the jewelry. If your piercing actually is infected, and you remove the jewelry, the bacteria and puss can get locked inside if the hole closes up. The solution to healing an infection is removing it - you need to keep the pierce open in order to allow the infection to drain. Infection can lead to other serious problems, so you should see your piercer or doctor to get recommendations on how to handle it.

If you are pierced by a professional piercer and follow the procedures outlined on the aftercare sheet (a copy of which you should receive to take home with you), your chances of infection are virtually nonexistent. Your piercer should go to great lengths to ensure that you leave the studio with full understanding of appropriate aftercare and no unanswered questions. There are some conditions that are not infections, though they may appear to be. See similar questions...

The best thing you can do to keep an infection from occurring is follow to the letter what your artist or piercer tells you to do for the aftercare procedures. In the event that you have gotten bad or no after care advice.... here are 2 sets of care instructions (one for tattoos and one for piercings) that may help you. An hour and a half from now remove the gauze bandage! If it sticks to the tattoo use a little warm water, moisten the gauze and pull it off slowly. 2. See similar questions...

First, make sure that you are NOT using Bactine, alcohol, or Neosporin. The largest amount of complaints come from those who use these products to heal their piercings. Second, make sure that you are only using anitbacterial or antimicrobial soap and sea salt to clean your piercing. Proper instructions can be found on our medically reviewed Healing & Aftercare page. Remember, piercings such as the navel and nipple tend to get irritated easily because they are in active areas of the body. See similar questions...

If treatment is recommended, consider your options and work with your doctor/clinician and local support system to prepare a treatment plan. See similar questions...

Infections are prevented with proper care and attention to your piercing. Alloy metals like steel can often tire your immune system making you more prone to infection. But even Titanium or Blackline won't stop you getting an infection if your piercing is always being aggravated or rarely cleaned. See similar questions...

While we always welcome "walk-ins," appointments are advised so you will not have to wait. If you have any health issues which might affect your ability to heal a piercing, make sure to consult us or your doctor before obtaining a piercing. Eat about an hour before your appointment and have NO alcohol or mind-altering drugs in your system. See similar questions...

All of the piercings are done using sterile disposable piercing needles. For many of the placements I use forceps, which are applied to hold the area securely for the piercing. These may also help to numb the region by reducing the circulation. Certain areas, such as the nasal septum, Prince Albert, and vertical clitoral hood piercings use a device called an NRT for needle receiving tube. These are locations where forceps are not practical or necessary, nor comfortable or safe. See similar questions...

It is not uncommon for a parent to get a piercing — often even the same piercing — along with their child. This is an excellent way to strengthen the familial bond, and it helps you understand what they're going through. Assuming you have some interest in a piercing, this can be a very rewarding experience for everyone. See similar questions...

The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no "pink" parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no "runny" yolks). Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. See similar questions...

The main route of human infection is direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated with their feces or blood. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural and periurban areas where households keep small poultry flocks that roam freely, often entering homes and sharing children's outdoor play areas. Large quantities of the virus are excreted in the feces of infected poultry. See similar questions...

Hepatitis A & B Vaccine: There are several different forms of viral hepatitis. Each is different and being "protected" from one, does not protect you from the others. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are vaccine preventable. Hepatitis C has no vaccine, so preventing the infection through safe(r) drug and sex behavior is necessary. If you are at-risk, get vaccinated for the other viruses, and get tested for C to find out if you've been infected so you can get the care and counseling you need. See similar questions...

Ticks become infected with the Lyme disease spirochete by feeding on the blood of animals that have the disease. See similar questions...

Find out what a guage is, what size jewelry is common for most piercings and how to figure out what gauge your piercing or jewelry is. See similar questions...

If you have a bump or sore around your piercing, it is more than likely not a keloid and it is easily removable. Find out what it could be and how to get rid of it. See similar questions...

Should you tip your tattoo or piercing artist, and if so, how much? See what the professionals say and get some ideas from tipping customers. A 17 year-old was hit by lightening and doctors blamed his tongue ring. Is this possible? Pediactrics guide, Vincent Iannelli, M.D., separates fact from fiction. This gauge chart will work no matter what your resolution is - just grab a U.S. quarter and you're on your way to learning exactly what jewelry sizes really look like. See similar questions...

It is very easy to take care of and complete instructions will be given to you at the time of the piercing. Back to top See similar questions...

Oh, severing a blood vessel or nerve or ligament. That's all. I have read case studies where the piercer pierced some poor guy's tongue from top to bottom. His sublingual salivary gland was pierced and was actually destroyed. So, his gleeker was busted. Not good. See similar questions...

The time it takes to heal a piercing not only varies with the type of piercing, but also from person to person and the type of care it is given. Touching a piercing with dirty hands, rough treatment, the use of cleaning agents that are not recommended or your body is sensitive to, including your own body fluids, can lengthen the healing time required. By following Avant-Garde's aftercare, you will shorten your healing time and minimize the risk of problems. See similar questions...