Summer is a fantastic time for enjoying sandals, picnics, and swimming! However, if you’ve recently had a piercing, you must adjust your summer activities a bit. Your piercer will advise you to avoid swimming until your piercing is fully healed. This is crucial because exposure to water, particularly in pools or lakes, can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of infection.
Here’s why you should avoid getting your piercing wet:
- Bacteria Risk: Pools, lakes, and even bathtubs can harbour bacteria that might cause an infection in your new piercing. Even if a pool is chlorinated, chlorine alone doesn’t kill all germs and can sometimes irritate your piercing. Lakes and oceans have natural bacteria that can be harmful to an unhealed piercing.
- Healing Process: Keeping your piercing dry is essential for proper healing. Water can interfere with the natural healing process by introducing bacteria or causing irritation.
- Avoid Soaking: Soaking your piercing in a bathtub or any other body of water can increase the risk of complications. Even though it might seem like an excellent way to relax, it’s better to avoid it until your piercing is completely healed.
It’s hot outside, and your piercing looks good, but it’s still healing. You might be wondering why you can’t swim yet. The main reason is bacteria. Even though pools have chlorine, they can still contain germs that might cause an infection in your piercing. Chlorine can also irritate your piercing. Lakes, oceans, and hot tubs have germs, too, which can increase the risk of infection.
You might think that using a plastic bag or waterproof patch will keep your piercing dry, but these methods are only partially effective. Water can still get to your piercing, and even if the water looks clean, it’s safer to avoid swimming to protect your piercing.
If you’ve already gone swimming and are concerned about your piercing, follow these steps:
- Stop Swimming: Immediately stop swimming and avoid any more contact with water. This will help prevent further exposure to bacteria.
- Clean Your Piercing: Use a sterile saline wound wash to clean your piercing. This is a special solution designed to clean and disinfect wounds. Spray the saline solution generously on your piercing to help remove any bacteria or debris.
- Shower: Take a shower to rinse off any remaining water from your skin. Make sure to use clean water to help remove any residual chlorine or contaminants.
- Apply Saline Solution: After your shower, apply more saline solution directly to your piercing. This helps to ensure that your piercing remains clean and free from bacteria.
- Rinse Again: Rinse the saline solution off your piercing with clean, running water. This helps to remove any leftover saline and keeps your piercing clean.
- Dry Gently: Pat your piercing dry using a clean paper towel. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry the area. Make sure the towel or dryer is clean to avoid introducing any new germs.
Throughout this process, always use clean hands to prevent transferring any bacteria to your piercing. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for further advice and treatment. Taking these steps will help ensure your piercing heals properly and stays healthy.
After you’ve cleaned and dried your piercing, keep a close eye on it for the next week or two. Watch for any signs of infection, such as:
- Redness: The area around your piercing turns red.
- Warmth: The area feels warm to the touch.
- Swelling: The piercing or surrounding area gets puffy or swollen.
- Discharge: The fluid coming from the piercing is yellow or green.
- Fever: You have a high temperature, which can indicate an infection.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to see a doctor rather than just visit your piercer. The doctor can provide the right treatment for an infection.
If you think your piercing is infected, do not remove the jewellery. Taking out the jewellery can trap the infection inside, making it harder to treat. Instead, follow the doctor’s advice to treat the infection. It’s safer to wait until your piercing is fully healed before making any changes or removing the jewellery.
Summer is a great time for outdoor fun and swimming, but if your piercing isn’t completely healed, it’s best to avoid swimming until it is. Swimming in pools, lakes, or oceans can expose your piercing to bacteria and make healing more difficult.
Stay safe this summer by taking good care of your piercing and avoiding activities that could harm it. Enjoy your summer, and make sure your piercing stays healthy!