Preventing Eyebrow Piercings from Rejection and Infections

Piercing your eyebrows can be a fun and bold fashion statement, but like any piercing, it requires proper care to prevent rejection and infections. This guide offers practical tips on how to maintain your eyebrow piercings and what to do if complications arise.

Caring for Your Eyebrow Piercings Every Day

To ensure your eyebrow piercing heals properly, it is essential to practice diligent daily care. Here are some steps to follow:

Washing Your Hands and Piercing

Before you handle your piercing, make sure your hands are clean. Washing them for 30 seconds or more with soap and water can prevent infections. Avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands. To clean the piercing, use a mild soap or saline solution twice a day. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and gently dab it around the piercing, making sure to rotate the jewelry. If your piercing starts to bleed or dry out, use an oil-based soap instead.

Store solutions such as saline or specialized piercer solutions can be purchased at the same place where you got your ears pierced. Avoid using rubbing alcohol-based solutions, as they can dry out your piercing.

Cleaning Oral Piercings

Oral piercings, including eyebrow piercings, are especially prone to rejection and infections. To keep them clean, use an antiseptic mouthwash. Once your piercing is healed (typically after 3-4 weeks), take it out at night and brush the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Rotating Your Piercing

Without rotating your piercing, your body may heal over the metal, leading to infections and rejection. Always clean your piercing thoroughly before rotating it. This routine can prevent the introduction of dirt or germs into the piercing.

Avoiding Early Removal

Do not remove your piercing unless it has fully healed. Unscrewed jewelry can be changed every 6-12 months, but make sure the jewelry is sterilized and free of allergens to avoid irritating your immune system. Always consult the piercer to know when you can safely remove or change your piercing.

Treating Infections

Even if proper care is observed, infections can occur. Here’s how to recognize and handle them:

Signs of Mild Infection

Mild infections are indicated by red or swollen skin, tenderness, heat, or yellow-green discharge. These do not usually mean rejection, and your piercing can still heal. However, if the infection is severe, seek medical attention immediately.

Handling Severe Infections

Signs of serious infections include a high fever (102°F or 38.9°C for children, 104°F or 40°C for adults), chills, nausea or vomiting, a red streak around the piercing, or swollen lymph nodes. Clean the infected piercing twice a day with antibacterial soap and a cotton ball. Cold compresses can help reduce swelling, while warm compresses can encourage blood flow to your piercing, but stop if they cause more swelling. If the infection persists for more than 24 hours, see a doctor for antibiotics and additional treatment.

Dealing with Piercing Migration and Rejection

Piercing migration or rejection can occur and is often irreversible. If you notice continuous soreness, a loose-hanging piercing, or a larger hole around your piercing, it may be migrating or rejecting. Visit the studio where you got your piercing to determine if it needs to be removed. If so, wait 6-12 months before getting the area re-pierced and let a professional diagnose and treat the rejection.

Addressing Allergic Reactions

Sometimes, rejection can be due to metal allergies. Recognize signs such as burning, itching, gaping skin, or a rash around the piercing. Consult a doctor or dermatologist for allergy testing, as metal allergies are usually lifelong. Remove the piercing and avoid jewelry that contains the metals triggering your reaction. Surgical steel piercings may be a safe option, and wait 6-12 months to get another piercing after the condition of your skin has healed and you have undergone proper testing.