5 years ago. Right after an earlobe piercing, your ear may be red or swollen. Germs can survive in a chlorinated pool for days and contaminated water can enter the body causing infection. Source(s): https://shorte.im/a8JgP. Other skin problems. As a general guide, healing times for the most common body piercings can be: It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in: If you have any signs of infection, see your GP. Do not go swimming or explore a body of water right after you have been pierced. This removes the risk of picking up an infection from the water in swimming pools, lakes and rivers, and the sea… How long will it take to heal? The UK's National Health Service (NHS) advises, " After having a piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and dry." Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing. For anyone thinking about getting their ears pierced, dermatologists urge people to follow these steps to avoid infection. Always wait at least 24 hours after getting an ear piercing before you go swimming. Dr. Garner suggests avoiding swimming in a lake or ocean, which might contain unknown bacteria, for those two weeks. While Body Art Practices are ever changing some things will always have a foundation and here is one. You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. In summary, get pierced. Seeing a Medical Professional Contact your doctor if the infection doesn’t improve after two days. Close menu. Care should be taken with fresh piercings and swimming for the first month or so. belly button (navel) – 6 months to 1 year, it's painful – particularly if it's throbbing or the pain is spreading, there's discharge coming from the piercing, which may be yellow or green and foul-smelling. Use a towel to dry ears well. Usually, the infections are minor, and people can treat them at home without complications. all of the bacteria in the water, the chlorine, stuff like pee, spit, particles of feces, etc can lead to serious infection. However often it has gone as far as after the piercing is done and I'm out lining the aftercare for them, that they take not of the fact that I said, "no swimming." I have a son, Joey Niceforo, who is a young 27 year old tenor, with a group called "DESTINO" recording in Vancouver Bc, Canada. public pools are a no-go for at least a month after getting your ears pierced. Next review due: 3 July 2018. After having a piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. top of the ear – 6 to 8 weeks; belly button (navel) – 6 months to 1 year; nose – up to 6 months; tongue – 2 to 4 weeks; Swimming after a piercing. The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it. 1 decade ago. How to care for pierced ears. For piercings to heal it is important that the area remains clean and dry. New piercings should not be removed at all until the area is fully healed. Children’s ear piercings are much more sensitive and we understand the importance of your child’s swimming lessons, just make sure you use the Band-Aid trick and are following all aftercare instructions! That should go away after a day or two. Tilt head back and forth so that each ear faces down to allow water to escape the ear canal. We recommend avoiding swimming for the first two weeks after a piercing. Although ear piercings are more common and can be less risky than other body piercings, they can still cause complications if not handled safely. My daughter had her cartilige done and had to swim for gym class. Apply the water-resistant bandage over your piercing. 0 0. Learn more about what it takes to join Australia’s favourite beauty salon franchise and take the first step to becoming your own boss. For the last few weeks Joey has had a cold. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. It is important to refer to our aftercare information. The following guidelines are recommended: Swimming in lakes or ponds is strongly discouraged due to the high levels of bacteria in the water. Book Online or download the Essential Beauty app. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Pull earlobe in different directions when ear faces down to help water drain out. A: The first two weeks are when your new piercings are most susceptible to infection so swimming during this time does carry some risk. A: You should only switch into new earrings after the healing period: 6 weeks for an earlobe piercing and 12 weeks for a cartilage piercing. After all, each piercing results in a small wound, which should be kept as clean and sterile as possible. Changing the earrings on your newly pierced ears too soon increases your chances of exposing the piercing to infections, causing irritation and even rejection of the new earrings. Click here to read our full piercing aftercare instructions. 0 0? Menu Wait 48 to 72 Hours for Ears (in General) The general rule of thumb is to avoid swimming for 24 hours after a piercing because you need to keep … You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly. You may be advised to gently clean the area with a warm saline or salt water solution. Many people have their piercings performed in the winter months so they are healed and ready in time for summer – winter is a great time for a belly piercing! Swimming in stagnant water such as a lake contributes to contracting infectious microorganisms. There are many bacterial types in water and these can enter a piercing causing a threatening infection with sensitivity, swelling, redness and pain. It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in: swimming pools; streams, lakes and rivers; We recommend avoiding swimming as long as possible after piercing. Chlorine does not kill the germs and bacteria immediately. You can but you need to avoid swimming after ear piercing for at least 24 hours – but ideally, until the piercings have healed properly. Bloodborne diseases. Although, I would immagine that there might be some minor risks as bateria can be found in bodies of water especially lakes and ponds. For the first 6 months after your earlobe piercing heals, do not go more than 24 hours without an earring or your piercing may close. Page last reviewed: 4 June 2015 If you put it in water immediately, it might continue bleeding, and the bacteria from the water can make it swell and form puss. Rotate the earrings, and slide them back and forth gently on a daily basis so the hole maintains its shape. Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside. Do not remove your earring while cleaning. … You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly. Swimming. Source(s): https://shorte.im/a8LmM. Caring for pierced ears Caring for pierced ears. absolutely not. Many people assume swimming in a pool will not cause a bacterial infection due to chlorination. You should change your freshly pierced ears after at least 6 weeks so that the density and type of tissues in ear lobes heal completely. My sister (8 y.o) had her ears pierced ~3 weeks ago, she is allowed to go swimming both in pools and at the beach, the only thing she can't do is remove them for another 3 weeks and she has to spray antibacterial stuff onto them each morning. If you must go swimming, we recommend covering your piercing with a waterproof Band-Aid and spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after exiting the water and removing the Band-Aid. Use a bathing cap, ear plugs, or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming. Swimming After Ear Piercing. Pools, lakes and oceans will expose your piercing to a sea of bacteria that will cause an infection. Safety regulations advise you not to swim, sit in a hot tub or take hot baths until your piercing has healed. “If swimming is inevitable, I warn clients that chlorine will hurt their piercings and they will need to shower immediately after to rinse the chemical off the recently pierced area,” Brooks says. If it continues, feels itchy, or has a discharge, try this three times a day: Is swimming ok immediately after ear piercing? An infected ear piercing can also develop years after a person got the original piercing. According to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, piercings in the ear lobe takes six to eight weeks to heal, while ear cartilage piercings take four months to one year to heal completely. Swimming After Ear Piercing. However, stay out of the water until your piercing has been healing for two weeks and always follow the aftercare advice or speak to a Piercing Specialist in salon. Never use harsh soaps or antibacterial products to clean an ear piercing. This means a piercing may look healed externally, when actually, it is not. During the healing period (6 weeks for earlobes, 12 weeks for ear cartilage) it’s best to avoid swimming. Just a few days ago he developed an ear ache, a swollen ear and loss of hearing. It's not normally necessary to rotate or remove a piece of jewellery. Skin infections. Q: Is it fine to go swimming after getting your ears pierced? To clean the piercing, submerge the area in a warm saline or salt water solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside. My general rule of thumb regarding swimming with fresh piercings is – “If you’d be worried if you got a mouthful of the water you’re considering swimming in, then DON’T put your fresh piercing in it.” This most commonly applies to: If you must go swimming, we recommend covering your piercing with a waterproof Band-Aid and spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after exiting the water and removing the Band-Aid. Ensure any clothing and bedding that may come into contact with the area around the piercing is clean. She had no problems To reduce the risk of infection, do not go swimming immediately after getting a piercing. Tongue swelling after a new piercing can interfere with chewing and swallowing — and sometimes breathing. Ear Piercing Care Swimming Avoid swimming in public pools One of the common complications of ear piercing is normally the infection. If it is a regular lobe piercing it shouldn't be, but if it's cartilage i don't know. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. Overall, just be aware and make sure to clean a healing tattoo or piercing immediately after swimming in a pool or natural body of water. I never heard of no swimming after ear piercing.. As for sports, horseback riding … Piercing can lead to scars and raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids). What should I do if I have discharge from my piercing? Think of your new piercing as a fresh cut on your finger or hand. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. Ideally, you should wait for at least a week and clean after every time you take a swim. Little*Miss*Goody*Two*Shoes. 1. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. Bacteria in lake and ocean water may irritate newly pierced ears during this time when the new piercing is more prone to infection. ... As soon as you are done swimming rinse the piercing under running water. However, the piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. Covering Your Ear Piercings with a Swimming Cap Purchase a swimming cap that covers the ears. Piercing Updated August 4, 2020 We recommend avoiding swimming for the first two weeks after a piercing. Swimming also surrounds the opening of the piercing with bacteria which can cause infection by entering the opening in your skin. … Swimming after ear piercing Download Here Free HealthCareMagic App to Ask a Doctor All the information, content and live chat provided on the site is intended to be for informational purposes only, and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. Once any discharge has softened, you can clean it with a cotton bud or piece of gauze. Public swimming pools are often contaminated with germs, especially bacteria. Wait at least a week. Read more about medical ear piercing after care on Blomdahl’s website. Personally I would recommend them not doing school swimming.After further research I have found that it isn't very safe to pierce ears with piercing guns and there can be a lot of complications but nothing ever happened to me or her for our first hole. 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