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.
Healing soaks
This method utilizes your body’s natural salinity to help expel any bacteria from your piercing. It’s essential to mix the saline solution in the correct proportions, so we recommend using NeilMed piercing aftercare spray if possible. Soak your piercing 3-5 times a day for 3-5 minutes.
Using NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Spray:
- Spray some of the aftercare solution into a glass cup and heat it in the microwave for about ten seconds.
- Dip a sterile cotton ball into the heated NeilMed spray, allowing it to saturate.
- Place the soaked cotton ball against 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 teaspoon of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, ensuring it dissolves fully. Avoid adding too much salt, as a stronger solution can irritate your piercing.
- Dip a sterile cotton ball into the saline solution and let it soak.
- Apply the soaked cotton ball to your piercing and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
For general cleaning during the first two months, or if the piercings become irritated in the following year, make sure to clean them a minimum of twice a day—once in the morning and once at night. Additionally, clean them throughout the day if you suspect anything may have come into contact with the piercings, such as after a bath or shower, if lotions, creams, or hair products touch them, or after wearing hats for extended periods.
Important: Never clean healing or infected piercings with alcohol products, peroxide, creams, soaps, or ointments. Alcohol can burn and damage the skin over time, hindering healing, while creams tend to trap hair and fibers that can enter the piercing, potentially leading to infection.