Do you have a concern about a body piercing?
Yes
Body piercing concern
How old are you?
Less than 12 years
Less than 12 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
This is more likely if you have had a bad reaction to something in the past.
Yes
Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
No
Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Are there any hives?
Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin. They usually have red borders and pale centers. They may seem to move from place to place on the skin.
Did the hives appear within the past 3 hours?
Yes
Hives appeared within past 3 hours
No
Hives appeared within past 3 hours
Yes
Symptoms of infection
Do you think you may have a fever?
Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it?
Do you have diabetes, a
weakened immune system, peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area?
"Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps.
Yes
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area
No
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area
Is there any swelling near the piercing?
Yes
Swelling at piercing site
No
Swelling at piercing site
Is the swelling severe and rapid?
Severe swelling may cut off blood flow and make the area below the piercing cool or painful.
Yes
Severe, rapid swelling near piercing site
No
Severe, rapid swelling near piercing site
Is the swelling over a joint, such as the ankle, elbow, or hip?
Yes
Swelling is over a joint
No
Swelling is over a joint
Has swelling lasted for more than 2 days?
Yes
Swelling for more than 2 days
No
Swelling for more than 2 days
Have you had
symptoms of an infectious illness in the several months since you had the body piercing?
Yes
Symptoms of infectious illness
No
Symptoms of infectious illness
Do you think you may need a
tetanus shot?
Yes
May need tetanus shot
Is there any bleeding at the piercing site that has not slowed or stopped after 15 minutes of steady pressure?
Yes
Bleeding at piercing site
No
Bleeding at piercing site
Have you had any other problems with the piercing for more than 2 weeks?
Yes
Body piercing problem for more than 2 weeks
No
Body piercing problem for more than 2 weeks
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind
of care you may need. These include:
- Your age. Babies and older
adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart
disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care
sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain
medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them
worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery
or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them
more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug
use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be
able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the
symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any
concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect).
You may need care sooner.
You may need a tetanus shot depending
on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot.
- For a dirty wound that has
things like dirt, saliva, or feces in it, you may need a shot if:
- You haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
- For a clean wound, you may
need a shot if:
- You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
Symptoms of infection may
include:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or
around the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and
illness. Some examples in adults are:
- Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease,
and HIV/AIDS.
- Long-term alcohol and drug
problems.
- Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety
of conditions.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for
cancer.
- Other medicines used to treat autoimmune
disease.
- Medicines taken after organ transplant.
- Not
having a spleen.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis) may include:
- The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives)
all over the body.
- Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
- Trouble
breathing.
- Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused,
or restless.
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a
bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat
any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may
quickly become very severe.
If proper technique and clean instruments are not used, there
is a chance of getting an infectious disease when you get a tattoo or body
piercing.
Symptoms of an infectious illness
may include:
- An overall feeling of tiredness and lack of
energy.
- Dark urine or light-colored stool.
- A new yellow
tint to the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Muscle or
joint pain that lasts a long time.
- Belly pain.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The
problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms
and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't
have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and
seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care
sooner.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and
arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have
one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an
ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving
yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area
where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need
emergency care.
Call911or other emergency services now.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical
care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the
next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you
are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have
any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.