Getting a piercing is an exciting way to express yourself, but it also comes with the risk of infection if not properly cared for. Some piercings are more prone to developing infections than others due to the location on the body, jewelry material, and aftercare. Understanding the risks can help you make an informed decision about the type of piercing that is best for you.
piercings most likely to get infected
Not all piercings carry the same infection risk. According to professional piercers and medical research, these are the top 5 piercings most likely to get infected if proper aftercare is not followed:
- Oral piercings (lip, tongue, cheeks)
- Navel/belly button piercings
- Genital piercings
- Cartilage piercings (nose, ear)
- Surface piercings (eyebrow, nape, hip)
Oral Piercings
Oral piercings including lip (labret), tongue, and cheek piercings have the highest risk of developing infections. The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria that can enter the piercing site and lead to infection. Even basic activities like eating, drinking and talking can introduce microbes. Oral piercings also tend to bleed more than other areas.
Navel/Belly Button Piercings
Belly button or navel piercings are prone to collecting bacteria because of their location on the body near the waistline. Tight clothing, moisture from sweat, and activities that put pressure on the area like bending over can all potentially introduce bacteria into the piercing channel and lead to infection.
Genital Piercings
Genital piercings including Prince Albert, clitoral hood, and inner and outer labia piercings have increased risk of infection due to the sensitive nature of the area. Bacteria are naturally present in the genital region, and sexual activity can further push bacteria into the piercing hole and cause infection.
Cartilage Piercings
Ear cartilage and nose piercings are at higher risk than earlobe piercings because cartilage tissue takes longer to heal. The delicate nature of cartilage means that these piercings can take 6-12 months to fully heal. Longer healing time leaves more opportunity for infections to develop.
Surface Piercings
Surface piercings like eyebrow, hip, and nape of neck piercings have flat jewelry that sits flush to the skin. This style interferes with natural shedding of dead skin cells, which means bacteria can get trapped and grow. The shallow depth of surface piercings also keeps the wound open for longer as it heals.
Major Causes of Piercing Infections
Knowing the main causes of piercing infections can help you avoid them through proper aftercare and monitoring of your new piercing.
Poor Hygiene
Not keeping the piercing site clean is one of the quickest ways to develop an infection. Using unclean hands to touch the piercing or allowing bodily fluids, makeup, sunscreen or cleaning products to get inside the piercing hole introduces foreign bacteria.
Low Quality Jewelry
Jewelry quality greatly impacts your risk of infection. Low quality metals like nickel often cause allergic reactions that appear infected. Plastic and acrylic jewelry is porous, which makes it easier for bacteria to attach. Reputable piercers use implant-grade metals like titanium, niobium or 14+karat gold.
Heavy-Handed Piercers
Going to an inexperienced piercer ups your odds of getting an infection. Heavy-handed piercers can cause trauma and bruising that makes it harder to heal. They may also use lower quality jewelry or unsanitary equipment and tools.
Rough Play & Contact
Bumping, playing with or putting pressure on a new piercing introduces bacteria and irritates the site. Avoid rough contact sports, tight hugs, passionate kissing and intimacy until piercings have fully healed.
Compromised Immune System
Those with weaker immune systems due to illnesses like diabetes are more likely to have complications and infections. Always consult your doctor before getting pierced if you have an underlying medical condition.
Common Signs of Infection
Being able to identify the symptoms of infection early is key to quick treatment and prevention of serious complications. Here are signs to look out for:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Extra discharge/bleeding
- Green/yellow pus
- Warm to the touch
- Foul odor
- Rash
- Itching or burning
- Tenderness
- Crusting
See your piercer or doctor immediately if multiple symptoms are present. Infections left unchecked can lead to permanent scarring and rejection.
How To Prevent Piercing Infections
You can greatly reduce your risk of getting an infected piercing by taking proactive prevention measures:
- Research & visit a reputable, licensed piercer
- Avoid piercing guns and go for single-use needles
- Select hypoallergenic metals like titanium
- Get thorough aftercare instructions
- Clean hands and piercing 2-3 times daily
- Use a sterile saline spray for cleaning
- Keep hair, clothing, and beauty products away
- Avoid submerging piercing in water
- Don’t touch, play with or change jewelry
- Watch for signs of infection and seek medical care
Treating Infected Piercings
If an infection develops, take these steps for treatment:
- See your piercer or doctor for diagnosis
- Take prescribed antibiotics and over-the-counter pain relievers
- Apply warm compresses to encourage drainage
- Continue cleaning piercing 2-3 times daily
- Avoid removing jewelry until cleared by doctor
- Follow up to ensure infection is fully cleared
Leaving in jewelry while infected may seem counterintuitive, but it keeps the wound open so it can drain properly. Prematurely removing jewelry traps the infection inside. In severe cases, the piercing may need to be removed entirely. Seek medical assistance at the first signs of infection to prevent serious complications.
Which Piercings Are Least Likely to Get Infected?
If you want minimal infection risk, aim for these piercings ranked from least to most risky:
- Earlobe
- Rook
- Tragus
- Helix
- Daith
- Conch
- Snug
- Anti-eyebrow
- Septum
- Labret
Earlobe piercings fall at the lowest risk category, only requiring 6-8 weeks to heal fully. Other cartilage piercings come with slightly higher risks than the lobe due to prolonged healing, but still remain relatively low when cared for properly. Oral and surface piercings almost always carry higher infection risks.
Conclusion
While any piercing can get infected if not cared for diligently, oral, navel, genital, cartilage and surface piercings tend to be most prone. Risk factors like poor hygiene, low quality jewelry and rough contact should be avoided. Early intervention is key at the first sign of infection. To minimize infection risks, follow your piercer’s aftercare instructions closely, use high-quality jewelry, keep the area clean, and avoid trauma or pressure on the piercing until fully healed.
