Can I remove the jewelry, even for a little while? Do not remove your jewelry until your piercing is completely healed. Even then, the piercing may close very quickly. If you absolutely need to remove the jewelry for a short time (such as for surgery) put it back as soon as possible. You may be able to get a temporary nylon retainer for some piercings.

How can I tell if I have an infection, and what should I do? The most obvious sign of infection is pus coming from the piercing. If the pus is white the infection is very minor – continue with the normal cleansing process. If the pus is yellow or green the infection is more serious and you should come in and see us. We will advise you of what to do at that point. Whatever the case –do not remove the jewelry as the piercing may close around the infection resulting in an abscess.

What is this red bump around my piercing? A small ridge or bump of scar tissue looking a bit like a pimple or small infection is probably a keloid. Whatever you do, do not pick at them as this can make them bigger. There are a few things you can try to reduce them. You can crush up aspirin and put it directly on the keloid or the gauge of jewelry can be reduced. Generally a keloid appears because of irritation, so your goal is to remove that irritation. Catching keloids early is important to stop them.