Infected Nipple Piercing Signs, Treatment, How To Heal - Refinery29

Skip navigation!ADVERTISEMENTStory from BeautyADVERTISEMENTEverything You Need To Know About An Infected Nipple PiercingSamantha SassoLast Updated July 1, 2019, 9:30 PM Photographed by Ashley Armitage.After years of contemplating whether or not the trendy body jewelry was right for you, you finally took the plunge and got a nipple piercing. But you've noticed a few red flags since then: The area around the piercing is unusually warm, swollen, and secreting a discolored discharge. You start to wonder, Is this an infection?Before you panic, we asked the pros — Brian Keith Thompson, celebrity piercer and owner of Body Electric, and dermatologist Matthew Lin, MD — for their best advice.Ahead, they tell us the symptoms to look out for and the treatments that'll work best. Of course, nothing you'll read online is as helpful as seeking a medical opinion from your physician in person. If you're really worried, give your doctor a call, book an appointment, and then read below.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Do nipple piercings get infected easily?

The good news is that piercing infections aren't all that common; it's more likely to be an allergic reaction, says Thompson. Even so, people with nipple piercings are more likely to contract a piercing-related infection than someone with a hole in their ear or nose cartilage.

How do you know if your nipple piercing is infected?

The telltale signs of an infection aren't as complicated — or gruesome — as you might think. Dr. Lin tells us that early signs may be subtle, but will likely include redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, and sensitivity around the piercing. In more severe cases, swelling may develop in the lymph nodes in the armpit and you may begin to feel feverish. If the infection progresses without treatment, you may notice more green or brown discharge. White fluid or crust, on the other hand, is normal — it's called lymph fluid, and it's a sign that your body is healing. Photographed by Ashley Armitage.

Does a bump on nipple piercing mean it's infected?

Not necessarily. A bump isn't usually a red flag for infection, but that all depends on how it looks and feels. If you do see a bump, it's best to call your doctor to check it out because it could be one of many things, including a granuloma, pustule, keloid, or hypertrophic scar — all of which will likely be mistreated if you self-diagnose.

How do you treat an infected nipple piercing?

"The skin infection is usually caused by staphylococcus aureus," says Dr. Lin. "A mild infection can be treated by cleaning the area three times a day with an antiseptic solution and then applying a topical antibiotic ointment."

Will antibiotics help an infected piercing?

If your physician finds that the infection is severe, they might prescribe an antibiotic. It can take anywhere from one week to months for an infected nipple piercing to heal — depending on its severity, of course. Considering the fact that it could take up to a whole year for a nipple piercing to heal, period, we suggest babying that body jewelry like it's a new house plant from Ikea.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT BeautySofie Pavitt Just Dropped My Ideal Sunscreen — & It Won’t Break Y...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. In the year 2026, by Karina HoshikawaBeauty Studio5 Skin Tweaks A Dermatologist Told Me To Make For SpringAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Spring is right around the by Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyI Tried $320 Of Medicube Korean Skincare — & Now I Get The HypeAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. After more than 10 years&nbby Jacqueline KilikitaAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTBeautyI Didn’t Love Tatcha’s Longevity Cream Moisturizer At First — Now...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. There are some brby Karina HoshikawaBeauty7 Skin Tips I Got From The Esthetician Behind The BAFTAs’ Most Ic...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Keren Bartov has magic handby Jacqueline KilikitaSkin Care14 Niacinamide Skincare Products To Try For Clearer, Brighter Skinby Karina HoshikawaBeautyEverything You Ever Wanted To Know About LED Skin Wands — & The B...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. If, like me, your skincareby Jacqueline KilikitaBeautyThe Little-Known Side Effect Of Masseter Botox I Didn’t ExpectI can pinpoint the exact moment I knew I had to do something about my jaw pain. It was my birthday, and a friend cracked a joke so good that half the by Jacqueline KilikitaMercadoThe Milk & Rose Bath Collection We’re Buying Ourselves This Valen...Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or figuring out wth to do with that situationship, Valentine’s Day invites us to reflect on how we’ve been by Raquel ReichardBeautyThe Ordinary’s New Milky Moisturizer Is For Everyone, But My Dry ...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Having combination skiby Jacqueline KilikitaSkin CareThe Best Moisturizers To Quench Thirsty Dry Skinby Rachel KrauseBeauty StudioEvery Dermatologist I Know Swears By La Roche-Posay, Namely These...All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. I’m very lucky to have acby Venus WongAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT