I got my nipples pierced vertically back in Jan, and it still produces this creamy yellow puss with specs of blood every now and again.
They didn't seem to bother me until last month. My left nipple started to hurt and began pussing more than usual. My right nipple was fine. It looked as though it was healed. I went back to my piercer, and asked her about it, and she told me the puss is natural, and it normally takes 6-9 mos to heal.
And BOTH dont neccessarily heal at the same time. Well, now, a month later, the [right] nipple that i thought was healed, has started pussing alot just like my left one.
And it has this funky odor to it? I don't know if that means it's infected or what?
Also, 4 months after i got them done, is when i actually let my boyfriend play with them [because at this time there was little or NO puss at all]. They were fine. They never hurt or showed signs of infection. But now, 4 months later, i'm beginning to wonder if maybe that may be a part why they are acting up?
You give us some nice history but you never mentioned what your aftercare is was? How long did you continue to clean your piercings? What type of jewellery do you have in the piercings?
If you have a funky odour, what is it smell like? What colour is the puss now? If you have a green colour and it smells really foul, you do have an infection and please seek medical attention.
Overcleaning seems to be part of your problem. What your boyfriend did was not the reason for your problems. You have to tell us what you have been doing with respect to the cleaning and the products you used.
UPDATE: Never got to the shop [too busy this past week], so still have barbells in...
Since the 9th, I've basically just left them alone.
I didn't wear any padded bras to bed, but instead, wore tanktops with built in shelf bras [which suppport them, but don't put any pressure like the sports bra did], and i've been sleeping on my back.
I checked them out yesterday, and they seemed to be fine. The swelling went down, they're not overlapping or swallowing the balls anymore. The discharge seemed to calm down as well. They're not pussing as much, no blood, and minimal crustage. They're looking alot better, but still leaking the creamy puss. Now, my only question is:
Will they continue to puss and crust throughout the life of my piercing? Or does this phase eventually cease?
Glad to read that the problems you have been experiencing have decreased. As the body does its job of healing, you will notice that everything will eventually stop completely and you will have wonderful piercings.
Just be patient and do what you are doing. This could take a couple more weeks before the pussing will stop.
Sorry about that, i had rings when they were first pierced and my piercer said it would be fine to switch them out to barbells after the first 2 weeks.
So i cleaned the rings as she directed for the first couple weeks, rinsing and cleaning the jewelry with softsoap, twisting it, etc.
And they seemed to be fine? Given, they had little discharge here and there, which she said was normal.
As for the puss, it's still a creamy yellowish color, no signs of green pigment in the puss. The smell, I really don't know how to explain it? It just smells, like puss?
Now, all i do is rinse and semi-soak them in the shower. I'll cup 1 breast at a time and direct the water to it so they can sit till the crusties soften up and wash away.
Do the barbells fit well or is there some leverage? Do you move the barbell at all? Have you bumped the piercings?
Do you wear a support or padded bra? Do you sleep on your tummy?
Something is irritating the piercings and we are trying to figure out just what is triggering the problem. From your description of your puss, its not infected. You seem to deal with the crusties properly by not touching them directly and letting the water run over them to soften them up. Do you soap them at all?
We thought that you may be lactating but you are pussing too much during the month. Do you notice an increase just before your period?
Something is missing, please answer the questions.
No, they're not too long, they fit pretty well. And the only time they're touched is in the shower, or when i'm having sex [no rough play with them though], when we get carried away. Most of the time i tell him they're off limits, because i do not what is wrong with them. In the heat of things, i just forget all about them. I wear push-up bras and i seldom sleep on my tummy.
I do watch my 4 month old nephew every night, so i do alot of baby carrying. He's kicked me dead center before which hurt like hell.
As far as my menstral cycle, im not too sure? I haven't paid much attention, but i have noticed at times the puss can be less, and sometimes more throughout the month. But i never thought to match it up with the dates of my cycle. But then again, i have an irregular period, so it's kind of hard to tell.
From all that you have written, your problem could be from a variety of different sources. The child carrying is a definite problem as this does rub the breasts and can irritate the piercings.
the way you describe how you get the crusties off could be a little irritating. We would suggest that you do not cup your breast and just shower as normal. When you are done, take a Q-tip and remove the crusties. Too much water beating on them could be enough pressure to irritate.
If you do 'forget' about them during sex, then something that happens could also irritate. We are not suggesting that you do not enjoy or have sexual encounters, we are just pointing out the possibilities of why you still have problems with your piercings.
The last one could be extremely important, irregular periods affect your hormones and this could cause the pussing problems as you do not have a regular rhythm to your period. Try to document your next couple of weeks routine and give information about the nipples specifically.
Follow our recommendation in the shower and lets see what happens in the next 2 weeks.
Please write back.
OK, UPDATE ON LAST POST:
Last night, i wore a sportsbra to bed, which i never do, but i did last night and I slept on my tummy for a good prtion of the night. Well, i woke up, and my breasts were sore and when i went to check them out, my left one looked like it was sinking INTO the nipple, and the right one, the bottom ball was completely INSIDE my nipple!
I was freaked out, and it hurt wen i tried to push it back out. It started to bleed, and there was some old blood on my bra when i took it off. I'm really worried now, because my right one doesn't stick out at the bottom like it used to [the ball]. Now it's as if my nipple is swallowing it. Kinda of like a foreskin effect.
I mean, how bad is this? I know i irritated it BIG TIME! Will this heal?? do i need to get longer bars or bigger balls?
You should insert the rings for awhile until the swelling returns to normal.
If you can do it yourself, great, but we strongly recommend going to your piercer and letting her insert the rings to reduce or minimize pain.
Tummy sleeping can be very irritating especially if you move around on it. The piercings would just rub into the mattress and this is extremely irritating. If you are unable to go to your piercer, we also recommend warm water compress to help calm the piercings.
I no longer have my rings. It's been a while and I've lost them. i thought about it this morning and thats when i could not find them.
I have no problem inserting them myself, but this means i'd have to go buy new rings. I won't be able to make it to a shop until friday, what do i do till then?
Basically, the warm water compress to help with the discomfort and puss problem. Trying to leave them alone and not irritate them further. You cannot control how you sleep and so that will be a problem. Since you do not have the rings, you will just have to do your best until you can get rings in place.
If you have padded bras that may help reduce rubbing as well. You may even try sleeping with one on and see how it goes.
Good luck
