Body piercings: How to prevent a bacterial infection

Body piercings, from ears and eyebrows to nose and navels, make a statement, but they can also trigger serious problems, from allergic reactions to hepatitis.

The most common problem is a bacterial infection, affecting up to 20 per cent of all piercings. However, piercing is generally safe when performed by a trained professional.

Before you go under the needle, it's important that you get acquainted with some of these tips so you can ensure that you don't experience a bad infection.

Be sure your piercer uses sterilised tools and follows safety precautions for dealing with blood and controlling infections.

Talk to your piercer about your medical history too, including allergies, diabetes, and heart disease risks, says Holbrooke. If you currently have an infection, put off your piercing until you are healthy, and be aware of your own medical issues beforehand — some conditions weaken your immune system, which raises your chances of infection from your piercing.

Avoid taking aspirin for a week before your piercing, and avoid other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) for at least a day before getting pierced and for seven days afterwards as it may lower the body’s ability to clot the piercing wound.

Talk to your piercer about how long the wound typically takes to heal, ask what to expect in terms of side effects, and learn how to keep your new piercing clean afterward. Also do note that you can't change your piercing too soon, so you'll have to let it heal before you swap it out with a new stud.

Factor in your lifestyle too. If you practice contact sports or your piercing is in an area that will easily snag on clothing, this could injure the skin. If you have a job that requires you to frequently remove your piercing, this could also increase your risks of infection and lengthen healing time.

Clean your piercing regularly: Once you've got your piercing, you must clean it at least twice a day with a saline solution. This can easily be made by mixing some sea salt with warm water. Alternatively, you can also purchase the solution at the store where you get piercings done. Use a clean cotton swab or Q-tip to gently clean around the piercing, and try to avoid touching the actual piercing with your fingers.

Keep it dry: Moisture can lead to infection. After showering or swimming, we recommend that you use a clean paper towel (not your bath towel) to dry the area after cleaning it.