Will Salt Water Infect A New Piercing?

Do not think swimming in the ocean is the same as a salt soak: Even though the sea is salty,

it can still harbor bacteria that may infect your piercing

.

Can you go in salt water with a new piercing?

After having a piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. You may be advised to gently clean the area with a

warm saline or salt water solution

. However, the piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing.

Does salt water hurt new piercings?

Unfortunately,

no

. The truth of the matter is, while the ocean can have certain therapeutic, healing effects, it's not technically an advisable outing for new piercings. They are, after all, technically open wounds, and beaches often host more bacteria than we like to think.

Is salt water bad for piercings?

Yes, the ocean is salt water, but

it's not sterile

, and it could introduce a myriad of various germs to your piercing. In fact, the Wound Care Society warns that salt water contains numerous other particles that could worsen a wound or open your skin.

Does salt water help infected piercings?

First wash your hands with soap and water. Then prepare a saltwater solution of 1 cup (0.24 liters) water with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until

the salt dissolves

. Leaving the piercing jewelry in place, soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it on the affected area.

How can I make my piercing heal faster?

1. Maintain a healthy mind and body. Understanding how your body works is important in the successful healing of a new piercing. …
2. Get some rest and take it easy. …
3. Keep it clean. …
4. Consider taking a multivitamin. …
5. Get help if something goes wrong.

What can I use to clean my piercing if I don't have sea salt?

1. MILD LIQUID SOAP While sea salt soaks and/or saline rinses are the preferred aftercare for piercings, soap effectively removes the residue of dirt, skin oils, cosmetics, cigarette smoke, and natural discharge that can sometimes remain after a salt water soak or saline rinse. …
2. These are both too harsh for long-term use.

Can I use table salt to clean my piercing?

Do not use table salt

, kosher salt, Epsom salts, or iodized sea salts: Non-iodized fine-grain sea salt is best for avoiding additives, as well as its ability to dissolve into a solution. Do not make the solution too salty: Too much salt can be irritating to the piercing and the skin.

What can I clean my piercing with?

1. Warm Sea Salt Soaks. …
2. Morton Fine Grind Mediterranean Sea Salt, 4.4 oz. …
3. Sterile Saline Sprays. …
4. Mild Liquid Soap. …
5. DO NOT USE Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide. …
6. DO NOT USE Antibiotic Ointments. …
7. DO NOT USE Bactine® and Ear Piercing Solutions with BZK (Benzalkonium chloride)

Can I use contact saline solution to clean my piercing?

DO NOT USE contact lens solution

or similar to clean your piercing – these contain preservatives and chemicals not suitable for the skin. DO NOT USE any bottled re-sealable piercing solutions like those from Claires Accessories or online. … Be sure to rinse the piercing with clean water following a shower or a bath.

Can you soak a piercing too much?

This is why it's important to do a combination of both

saline sprays

and soaks during the first weeks of healing in any piercing. … Be careful with saline soaks; if you do them too often, it could irritate the skin, leading to infection or scarring.

Can you clean piercings with just water?

To make sure the healing process goes as smoothly as possible, wash your hands before you touch your piercing or jewelry. Don't soak your piercing in any water (other than saline solution)

until it's fully healed

.

What happens if you use too much salt to clean piercing?

First of all, when mixing sea salt with water, you will almost never achieve the correct concentration;

too much salt will dry out the tissue and result in complications with healing

. Not enough salt, and it will not clean your piercing effectively.

Should I take my piercing out if it's infected?

When to remove a piercing

If a new piercing is infected,

it is best not to remove the earring

. Removing the piercing can allow the wound to close, trapping the infection within the skin. For this reason, it is advisable not to remove an earring from an infected ear unless advised by a doctor or professional piercer.

What does an infected piercing look like?

Your piercing might be infected if: the area around it

is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark

(depending on your skin colour) there's blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow. you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell.

How do you get rid of a piercing infection?

1. Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing.
2. Clean around the piercing with a saltwater rinse three times a day. …
3. Don't use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments. …
4. Don't remove the piercing. …
5. Clean the piercing on both sides of your earlobe.