My Piercing Has A Dark Spot (Discolouration)
Discolouration or dark spots around the holes of the piercing or along the curved of the piercing is quite a normal response to a piercing. Purple, red, pink or brown tones are nothing to be concerned with, the colour is determined by your skin tones. These marks will fade over time but some minor scaring or discolouration may remain around the actual piercing hole permanently.
Scarring is to be expected and is unpreventable aside from not getting a piercing. Do not get a piercing if you do not want to end up with a scar.
Atrophic Scarring is a permanent indent or depression in the skin, common in navel and facial piercings, this is common but permanent and occurs due to migration, rejection or trauma.
Hyper-Granulation Tissue or Benign (Non-Cancerous) Growths are most commonly from some type of trauma to a wound, they can also come from having excessive moisture in the wound or after an infection.
This type of complication may require medical treatment in the form of medication and may take longer periods of time to heal. They are more common in areas like the nostril, navel, labia, or lip (more naturally moist or damp areas)
Identifying Hypergranulation Tissue
• Raised bump coming out of the skin
• Looks like raw tissue or hamburger meat
• Oozing clear or yellow sticky drainage
• Bleeds often
To treat these growths we recommend trying to keep the piercing dry, reduce activities that cause friction to the area and Sea Salt Soaks, Topical application of rubbing alcohol, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, iodine or undiluted tea tree oil, twice daily or more aggressively Aspirin Paste Applications. We do recommend consulting with a Doctor on this type of growth as it normally does require medical interventions such as prescription medicine.
Sea Salt + Water Soak/Compress
◦ Add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to one cup of boiling water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
◦ When the salt water has cooled slightly (you want it to be as hot as possible without burning your skin), dip a clean cotton pad into the cup.
◦ Hold the soaked cotton pad against the bump for two minutes. Do NOT take your jewelry out, avoid pulling or pushing it around.
◦ Repeat the salt soak twice a day until the bump has disappeared.
Aspirin Paste
(Speak to your Doctor or piercer before starting this type of treatment)
◦ Mix distilled water and Aspirin tablets or powder till a thick toothpaste type consistency is achieved
◦ Apply only to the growth for three to an absolute maximum of ten minutes
◦ Rinse extremely thoroughly
◦ Repeat two to three times a day for two to three weeks maximum
Please be aware that this can burn your skin. Discontinue use immediately if redness or burning occurs or symptoms like an allergic reaction appear.
