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Use this form to tell us about a change to a patient's medication — stopping something, starting something, dose or quantity changes, brand requests, or anything else affecting what we dispense.
An infected piercing can be serious if it's not treated quickly. Get immediate medical help if you think your piercing is infected.
For the first few weeks a new piercing might:
If you've had an ear or nose cartilage piercing, small lumps can sometimes form around the piercing.
The lumps, called granulomas, are trapped fluid. You can treat them by soaking a pad in warm water then holding the pad against them once a day.
Your piercing might be infected if:
Leave your jewellery in, unless a doctor tells you to take it out.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. This can be a cream, ointment, or tablets.
There are things you can do to reduce the risk of a piercing getting infected.
choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer
clean your piercing twice a day
use warm, salty water to soften any crusting
gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing
use a clean paper towel to dry the piercing
gargle with salty water or an alcohol-free mouthwash if you have a mouth piercing
do not do your own piercings (you're much more likely to get an infection)
do not use cotton wool to clean the piercing (use a cotton bud or pad)
do not pick at any crusting
do not twist or turn jewellery when the piercing is dry
do not use a towel to dry the piercing
do not have sex until a genital piercing has healed
do not have oral sex until a mouth piercing has healed
do not go swimming for the first 24 hours after a piercing
If you're thinking about getting a piercing, ask the piercer:
