What to do for an infection or bump

If a piercing looks infected or has a bump (not a keloid) we recommend doing Healing Soaks. We also recommend treating the infection with the earring in. Once you remove the earring the infection is trapped inside which will make it harder to treat.
Back to blog

Healing soaks 

This method uses your body’s natural salinity to push out any bacteria inside your piercing. For this reason, it’s very important to mix the solution in the right proportions of salt. We recommend using the NeilMed piercing aftercare spray if possible. We recommend soaking 3-5 times a day for 3-5 mins

With NeilMed piercing aftercare spray:

  • Spray some of the aftercare spray into a glass cup and heat it up for ten seconds in the microwave 
  • Dip sterile cotton into the NeilMed spray and let it saturate.
  • Apply the soaked cotton ball to your piercing and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. 

Making your own saline solution:

  • Pour 1 cup of warm sterile water into a cup. 
  • Add 1/4 of a teaspoon of the sea salt or pink Himalayan and allow it to dissolve. A stronger solution can irritate your piercing, so don't put too much salt! 
  • Dip sterile cotton into the sea salt solution and let it saturate.
  • Apply the soaked cotton ball to your piercing and let sit there for 5-10 minutes. 

Regular Cleaning

For regular cleaning during the first two months, or if they get irritated during the first years, make sure to clean them twice a day MINIMUM, that would be in the morning and at night. Anytime throughout the day, if you think anything got on the piercings, you should clean them. Some examples would be after a bath or shower, if any lotions, creams, or hair products get on them, if any hats are worn for extended periods of time, etc.

What NOT to do

You NEVER want to clean healing or infected piercings with any alcohol products, peroxide, creams, soaps, or ointments. Cleaning with these products can damage the skin, prolong healing, or cause infection. Alcohol products burn and damage the skin over time preventing healing and damaging the skin and creams tend to get hair and fibers stuck to them which can get into the piercing once the cream absorbs which can cause infection.