Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Pain Relief
• Method 2 of 3: Wound Healing
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Pain Due to Infection
• Tips
• Warnings

If you've recently had a piercing and it is hurting you, there are several things you can do to reduce the soreness. Pain, swelling, and bleeding should go away in a few days or a week. While the puncture site heals, cold drinks and compresses can help relieve pain. In addition, measures must be taken to speed up the healing of the piercing and prevent the development of infection. Once the wound has healed and the infection has healed, the piercing will stop hurting.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Pain Relief

1. 1 Try chamomile tea compresses. Many people find chamomile compress to help relieve pain and prevent piercing scarring. To do this, you need a bag of chamomile tea.
   • Boil some water and immerse the tea bag in it. After a few minutes, remove the bag from the water.
   • Wait a few minutes for the tea bag to cool. Then apply the bag to the painful area.
2. 2 Try cold foods and drinks if the piercing is on your lip. If you have your lip pierced, cold food and drinks can help relieve the pain. Try to relieve pain with ice cream, cold water, soft drinks, popsicles, frozen yogurt, and other cold foods. Try sucking on small ice cubes to relieve tongue or lip piercing pain.
   • Certain foods can irritate the skin. If any food makes the pain around the piercing worse, try something else.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Sasha blue

   
   
   Professional Piercing Master Sasha Blue is a professional piercing master licensed in San Francisco County, California. Has over 20 years of experience in professional piercing, starting as an apprentice in 1997. Since then, she has helped clients decorate their bodies and currently works as a piercing master at Mission Ink Tattoo & Piercing.

   Sasha blue
   Professional Piercing Master

   Expert opinion: If you've recently got a mouth piercing, cold water or ice cubes can help relieve swelling.
   

3. 3 Take over-the-counter pain relievers. A regular pain reliever can help relieve the pain of a new piercing. Try ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the pain becomes unbearable. These medications will relieve pain and swelling.
   • First, make sure the pain reliever you choose does not interact with other medications you are already taking.
   • Read the instructions for use to take the correct dose of pain reliever.
4. 4 Do not apply ice if the piercing is outside the mouth area. While it might be tempting to put ice or an ice pack on your piercing, pressure can make the wound worse. If you want to cool irritated skin, try something less cold, such as a cold chamomile tea compress.
   • Other types of piercings should not swell too much if done correctly. You shouldn't need to use ice to relieve swelling after any piercing other than oral.

Method 2 of 3: Wound Healing

1. 1 Follow the directions for caring for your piercing. When your piercing is installed, you will be sent home with a set of care instructions. Follow these guidelines carefully. Your piercing will hurt longer if you don't help it heal.
   • As a general rule, experts advise treating your piercing at least once a day. Some piercings need to be treated more frequently. Before proceeding with the piercing, you should wash your hands in warm water and antibacterial soap.
   • The piercing master should tell you how to properly handle your piercing. It is usually rinsed in warm water and saline solution. When done, pat dry with a clean paper towel.
   • Handling your piercing is extremely important in helping to get rid of bacteria that can cause infection.

   A warning: Do not wipe the piercing with a cotton swab, as this can irritate the piercing site and slow down healing or even lead to scarring.

   
   
2. 2 Don't touch a new piercing unnecessarily. Resist the urge to touch or twist your new piercing. This can disturb the wound and make the pain worse. In addition, touching the piercing with dirty hands greatly increases the likelihood of developing an infection. SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Sasha blue

   Professional Piercing Master Sasha Blue is a professional piercing master licensed in San Francisco County, California. Has over 20 years of experience in professional piercing, starting as an apprentice in 1997.Since then, she has helped clients decorate their bodies and currently works as a piercing master at Mission Ink Tattoo & Piercing.

   Sasha blue
   Professional Piercing Master

   Expert opinion: swelling is a natural reaction to piercings. The less you touch the piercing, the faster it will heal.

   
   
3. 3 Do not remove your piercing. Do not remove the piercing until the wound has healed. After the piercing is installed, the piercer will tell you how many weeks you will have to walk with it. Until this time has passed, under no circumstances remove the piercing. This will only slow down the healing process, and it will be very painful when you try to put the piercing in place.
4. 4 Don't use hydrogen peroxide. If you think there is an infection in your piercing, see your doctor or your piercer. Don't try to get rid of the infection yourself with hydrogen peroxide. This will only kill healthy cells, and a crust of dead skin will appear around the piercing.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Pain Due to Infection

1. 1 Wash your hands before touching the piercing. Wash your hands before you start doing anything with the piercing. Wash them in warm water and antibacterial soap. Dirty hands are the main cause of infection.
   • Try to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
   • Wash all hand areas thoroughly. Pay attention to the backs of your hands, under your nails, and between your toes.
2. 2 Soak your piercing in salt water. Regular soaking will speed up healing and prevent infection. Saline can be purchased from a piercer, and sterile sodium chloride spray can be purchased from your local drugstore. Alternatively, add 1/8 teaspoon (1.34 g) salt to 1 cup (240 ml) water and stir well.
   • Dip the piercing directly into the solution, or apply it with a clean gauze pad or paper towel and hold it over the piercing for a few minutes.
   • Apply a towel soaked in the solution for 5-6 minutes.
   • Do this twice a day for a month or until the piercing is completely healed.

   A warning: if you decide to make your own solution, be sure to measure the exact amount of salt. A solution that is too salty will only irritate the skin and do more harm than good.

3. 3 Don't swim. Going for a swim after piercing is a bad idea. Chlorine in the pool and other contaminants in the open water can damage a wound and lead to infection. Do not swim until the piercing has healed completely.
   • You should also avoid taking a bath or jacuzzi.
4. 4 Make sure nothing touches the wound. Do not touch the wound with foreign objects while it heals. For example, do not wear a hat if you have an eyebrow piercing. You should also watch your hair if it is long. Make sure long hair does not touch the piercing. While the piercing wound is healing, pull your hair back.
   • Don't sleep on the side of the piercing. Bacteria from the pillow can cause infection.
   • If you have done something like a belly button piercing, consult a professional to find out how best to protect it. You may need to cover the wound with gauze or wear loose clothing.

Tips

• When the swelling subsides, ask your master to change the jewelry to a smaller one. Do this if you think it is necessary.
• If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your master.

Warnings

• Dirty hands are most common, so always wash your hands before touching the piercing.
• Irritation and infection can occur even if the piercing has been done a long time ago.