I got my snug pierced almost 4 weeks ago. For the first 3 weeks it was wonderful, the best piercing I ever had (I have lots) I was cleaning it once a day with unscented soap.
About a week ago I accidentally hit it against a phone receiver and it flared up almost immediately. I went home and cleaned it soap and went to bed. The next morning it still looked a little swollen and red but didn't really hurt at all ... so I just continued my regular routine of cleaning it once a day.
Yesterday it started really hurting again. It's red, it's really swollen, and it hurts ALL around the piercing. It's throbbing all the time. I tried cleaning it and going to bed like the time before, but when I woke up today it was just as bad.
I've been taking Tylenol for the pain because I just can't handle it, but I know that it isn't helping the piercing any it's only masking the pain itself.
I soaked it in a warm bath this morning and I managed to squeeze some white puss out. That must be a step in the right direction right? It spins super easy. And it forms crusties at both holes very regularly. I can clean them off, and then an hour later there will be more.
Am I doing something wrong? What should I do?
No matter how old your piercing will get, hitting it against anything will cause a flare up. But your problem started before the incident.
You have been overcleaning. Why its still hurts is because you are cleaning each day and this only irritates the piericng, causing you great pain. The fact that you squeezed 'white' puss tells us that your piercing is severely irritated.
Our recommendation is to STOP all cleaning and moving of the jewellery. Leave it alone. In the morning, you will probably notice even more crusties forming. Take a warm cloth and put it on the piercing. When the crusties are soft enough, take a Q-tip and remove them. Being careful not to move the ring. That is all you have to do. No more cleaning! You may notice that things may even get a little worse before they get better, this is normal and please be patient.
If you notice your tissues looking dry or chapped, then take another Q-tip and a moisturizer (we use St Ives) and apply until absorbed.
Of course, try to not hit it again, would also be a good thing for your piercing.
