What Should I Do If My Piercing Shows Signs of Infection?(And How to Tell If It's Actually Just Irritation)
Got a new piercing that looks... off? You're not alone. One of the most common concerns after getting a piercing is figuring out whether what you're seeing is normal, irritation, or an actual infection. And yes, there's a big difference and treating them all the same can actually make things worse.
At Cherry Bomb Studio, we've been safely piercing in NYC for years. If you're concerned about how your piercing is healing, visiting a professional piercer is your best first step. We're always happy to help, even if you got pierced elsewhere.
Let's break it all down.
A very fresh and happy 14g Industrial piercing by Sylvie.
What's Normal for a New Piercing?
Before you panic, remember that some symptoms are totally normal while your piercing is healing.
It's completely normal to experience:
Mild swelling
Some redness
Clear or slightly yellow discharge (aka lymph)
Crusting around the jewelry
Tenderness for the first few weeks
This is your body adjusting to the new piercing and going through its natural healing process.
Irritation vs. Infection: What's the Difference?
Here's the part where people get confused and for good reason. Irritation and infection can look really similar, but they have totally different causes, and they require different care.
Irritation (Most Common)
Irritation is your body saying, "Hey, something is bugging me." This happens when your piercing gets bumped, snagged, over-cleaned, or exposed to products it doesn't like (like alcohol, peroxide, or scented soap).
Common signs of irritation:
Redness localized just around the piercing
Slight swelling that comes and goes
Tenderness but not severe pain
Dryness or flaky skin
Bumps (like a "piercing pimple")
Lymph crust (clear-ish or light yellowish discharge that dries hard)
Key clue: The area may look angry, but it's not hot, oozing pus, or getting worse by the hour.
What to do:
Stop touching or rotating the jewelry
Go back to basic saline soaks twice a day, max
Make sure your jewelry is long enough to allow for swelling
Visit a professional piercer they can check it out, adjust jewelry if needed, clean it properly, and tell you what's actually going on
Infection (Less Common but Serious)
Infection means bacteria (or, in rare cases, fungus) has entered the piercing and your body is trying to fight it off. This is not something to wait on or guess about but don't rush to the ER either. Sometimes medical professionals who aren't familiar with piercings might recommend removing jewelry, which can actually trap an infection inside.
Common signs of infection:
Skin that is hot to the touch
Throbbing pain that feels deep or intense
Thick pus-like discharge (usually yellow, green, or white)
Spreading redness or red streaks beyond the piercing site
Fever or chills (in rare, severe cases)
Key clue: You feel physically unwell, or the symptoms are rapidly getting worse.
What to do:
Leave the jewelry in! Removing it can trap the infection
See a professional piercer ASAP they can help determine if it's truly infected
Follow their advice on when to see a medical provider if necessary
Why You Should Visit a Professional Piercer When Issues Arise
When things don't look right, it's best not to just Google your symptoms or run to an urgent care clinic that might not specialize in body piercing. Reputable piercing studios like Cherry Bomb can:
Assess if you're dealing with irritation, allergy, or infection
Offer safe, sterile jewelry changes
Provide quality jewelry options like implant-grade titanium and gold
Give you specific advice based on your particular situation
Share knowledge based on extensive experience with piercings
Final Thoughts: Don't Guess. Don't Panic. See a Professional.
If your piercing is red, swollen, or just doesn't look quite right, visit a professional piercer. At Cherry Bomb Studio in NYC, we're here to help you heal not shame you, not upsell you, not panic you.
Whether we did your piercing or not, we'll give you our honest assessment and help you figure out the next step. Your body deserves better than Dr. Google and TikTok hacks.
Concerned about your piercing? Come in or book a troubleshooting appointment online. Let's get it sorted.