[LorieR]

I took my daughter to get a snug piercing last week. She's been using Hibiclens and sea salt soaks. Today it's red/swollen and painful. Is it appropriate to care for it at home (and if so, how?) or do we see a doctor?

[suhari]

* DO pick your shop wisely. If you don't have a regular shop, ask friends, or look around for one you feel comfortable with.
* DO get used to sleeping on the other side, holding the phone on the other side, and even hugging on the other side!
* DO be sure get rid of all of the white hard stuff around your piercing while cleaning it, and be sure the earring can move freely.
* DON'T clean your fresh piercing more than 3 times a day. Many people think the more they clean it, the better it is, but this is
Not true. With too much cleaning, you could strip away new cells the
Piercing needs to heal properly.
* DON'T be afraid to ask for the shops procedures for keeping their equipment clean and sterilized.
* DON'T touch or play with your piercing unless you're cleaning it! I can't stress this one enough. The number one reason for infection is from playing and touching the earring too much.
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