I need some advice as to what to do about my nipple piercing.
I had both of my nipples pierced (horizontal) in late October 2005. I followed the aftercare recommended by my piercer, which was spectro-gel for cleaning twice a day in the shower for the first week and then slowly weaning off of the cleaning. Now, if they get dry, I just use my regular body moisturizer, and I soap up in the shower, but don't "actively" clean them. They have surgical grade steel rings in them. I've recently changed them from (I think) 14g captured-bead to a style with a small section of the ring that comes out.
My left nipple is fine, with a little bit of whitish discharge every now and then, but it is very minimal.
My right nipple however, is sore to the touch and discharging a yellowish puss that crusts on the ring and has a funky smell. My boyfriend also brought to my attention that I have a hard and very tender lump under my nipple.
It had been infected in late December 2005, and I developed a puss-filled lump on the side of my nipple. I did salt-water soaks until the lump disappeared and then left it alone again as it wasn't sore. I've been cleaning with spectro-gel over the last few days (not turning the ring, but cleaning the edges of the holes well) and I don''t really know what to do now.
I'm afraid that the infection I had over Christmas has developed into a cyst, and just want the darn thing to heal (which it doesn't seem to want to do!).
Any advice that you could give would be a great help!
When you had the infection in December, did you go to your doctor and get antibiotics? If not, then the infection was not treated and you are still infected.
Please GO TO YOUR DOCTOR to find out what the problem is as the 'funky' smell is indicative to a yeast infection and this cannot be treated by salt water soaks, it needs antibiotics.
Since you still have the rings in place, they are actually an exit for any puss infection that may be contained inside the area. The body will use this location to expell the infection so do not worry about it being a cyst lump. Washing it even what little you are doing is not helping matters. Just let warm water run over them, water will get into the piercings and flush some bacteria out. But as we have stated through this response, please seek medical attention.
Let us know your status.
When I had the infection over x-mas, I also had bronchitis. The doctor put me on antibiotics for the bronchitis and said that it should clear up the infection in my piercing as well (two birds with one stone and all that).
Glad to hear that the chances of a cyst are minimal (that was definitely my biggest concern). I'll talk to my doctor about it asap and let you know how it goes
Your doctor was right, the antibiotics dealt with both problems.
As long as you have your jewellery inserted, they will help expel the puss.
