My dermal piercing is infected (TMI GROSS PIC WARNING)

[Littlesilverbird]

Obviously nowhere is open! It's killing me and has a load of gunk underneath it (I think) I am going to have to try take it out but I'm wincing! I've got salt water and savlon. Er, help? Sorry if wrong topic.

Leave it in bathe with saltwater then put tee tree on

Thanks oldraver (love the name).. I guess I can't actually get it out anyway, but perhaps could take the top off and let the infection underneath breathe a bit.. I am bathing it, it is just, It's raised and seems to have a lot of pus underneath.

Don't put tea tree on, it really won't help.

Taking it out could lead to trapping the infection inside, and I'm fairly sure removing a dermal requires cutting into the skin. You need to phone your Dr ASAP or get to a walk in centre.

wild cutting is necessary to get the whole thing out yes. I was thinking just unscrew the top? But it isnt nudging...

None of it will help. The only thing that will help you here is a doctor, walk in center, possibly antibiotics -trust me from someone who had unfortunately had a couple of piercing infections during lockdown!
If no joy with doctors ring 111, infections can get nasty quickly. Again, trust me from someone who know.

Youre past the sea salt (and I dont belive tea tree works- again ive tried in the past) stage.

Yes no joy with gp and I cant get to a walk in centre today :( ringing 111 now

@Littlesilverbird I feel your pain, I've infections during first lockdown and this one (and took to the Internet for advice, just meaning I prolonged the agony and let the infection fester)
111 gave me the help I needed too (it was antibiotics) & I was infection free within a couple of days.

The relief was enormous, infections can take hold properly so quickly.

Let us know how you get on x x

Fun fact about my dermal coming up. Every month in line with my cycle, my dermal looks like yours. I take top off, gently squeeze, pus galore, gentle clean, very short time later all looks fine. Just a quirk for mine. Got it checked first time it happened and confirmed mine wasn't infected but may have been the start of rejection. They done the cleaning etc as above and said to keep an eye on it. Happens most months at start of period. Very odd. Have had it 4 years now and never been infected or rejected.

You need anti biotics. Your gp should be able to give you a phone appointment and send a prescription to your nearest pharmacy?

Holding a clean hot compress on it regularly, ibuprofen and some tcp or savlon will help ease the swelling.

Where is the piercing on your body?

Speak to your go, my new nose piercing got infected after a few months, I rang my gp, we had a quick video call, and he gave me antibiotics, it was all back to normal after a few days

another thanks. I'm still half trying to get the top off while waiting for 111 to answer!
smiley it's on my abdomen, above my navel.
I really really hope I don't need antibiotics but if I do I do I guess!

It looks very sore. If I were you before you get an appointment with a GP for some cream, salt soak it for 10/15 minutes twice a day, this should draw out the infection.
The GP will most likely give you Fucidin to put on it which will clear it up. Hopefully you've caught it early enough not to be cut out.
Good luck!

I’d pop that.

Ah ok, it was hard to tell from the picture!

Is there a reason you don't want to take antibiotics? That would be the fastest most effective way to get rid of your infection. Fiddling about with it or squeezing it can sometimes make the infection worse, spread it or (sorry to be dramatic) can cause sepsis.

ABs would nip it in the bud so to speak.

I wouldn't bother trying to get the top off, I'm assuming that's the pale green bit. What's the other bit in the photo?

It could also be rejection of the piercing. So your body doesn't always accept piercings, especially those on flat pieces of skin that move around a lot. Warm saline soaks should help rejection a bit, but once a piercing starts rejecting there's no stopping it I'm afraid. You are doing the right thing by seeking medical help though in case it is infected!

I wouldn't advise taking the top off in case you can't get it back on. And then you run the risk of it trying to heal over the top.
Keep salt bathing it and try to get antibiotics.

Keep an eye on it in case your skin has suddenly rejected it and is pushing it out. Mine were settled and fine for ten years and suddenly one of them was rejected. They do need cutting out and it's not exactly fun but I doubt you'll find anyone to do them now for a few weeks. You may be able to sort it with antibiotics and rescue it.

is there a reason you don't want to take antibiotics? That would be the fastest most effective way to get rid of your infection. Fiddling about with it or squeezing it can sometimes make the infection worse, spread it or (sorry to be dramatic) can cause sepsis.
I just believe they should be avoided if at all possible. We'll never know when our bodies may desperately need them. But if they're necessary of course I will.

zippetty yes it is quite possible it is rejecting. I'll let it do that if it 'wants', I'm fed up of this.

And good point about the top! I'll stop trying to remove it.

thelovelychebby I've got two. The top one is swollen and angry, bottom one is fine.

freddie I'm sure there's a load of gunk trapped underneath it!

Try tea tree oil if it's not already been suggested

Freshly boiled water and salt. Let it cool down enough that it doesn't scald you, then keep bathing it, using kitchen roll (no fibres) repeatedly. Don't use Savlon, tea tree oil or anything else.

Also get a walk-in appointment, as it looks as though it could be tracking and, like it or not, you could very well need antibiotics.

Once it's less angry, it's more likely you'll be able to unscrew the outer part whilst wearing surgical gloves and let the pressure ease, but at the moment, it's too tight because of the infection; deal with that and then you may be able to keep it, but if not, you'll at least be able to retire it without too much trouble.

Thank you for all the replies
It is actually looking a lot less angry now. I bathed with salt water a lot!

The only thing you should be using on it is cooled salt water. Boil up water, add sea salt, let it cool, and use that on it regularly. Make sure you wash your hands before going anywhere near it.

I've had lots of piercings get red and angry like that and none have every turned into full-blown infections. Cooled salt water, no touching and plenty of air tends to sort it out, though of course if it gets worse, you'll need to see someone.

Do NOT take the piercing out - if it closes over, you'll trap the infection inside and it'll only get worse.

@Littlesilverbird ah now I see, Thank you! yes only one looks angry, hope its better soon!