Genital piercing (male) aftercare Key Advice Hand washing Do not use antibacterial products as Hand washing is the single most important they can kill the good bacteria that are The aftercare of body piercing method of reducing infection. Hands naturally present. is important to promote good must be washed prior to touching the Do not swim for the first 24 hours healing and prevent the risk of affected area, therefore reducing the risk of infection. following a piercing. infection. Wash your hands in warm water and liquid Do not pick at any discharge and do Healing times for piercing will soap, always dry your hands thoroughly not move, twist or turn the piercing vary with the type and position with a clean towel or paper towel. This whilst dry. If any secreted discharge has of the piercing and vary from should remove most germs and prevent hardened then turning jewellery may them being transferred to the affected area. cause the discharge to tear the piercing, person to person. allowing bacteria to enter the wound and A new piercing can be tender, itchy and prolonging the healing time. For the first few weeks it is slightly red and can remain so for a normal for the area to be red, few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may Refrain from any type of sexual activity tender and swollen. sometimes discharge from the piercing and until the piercing has healed or is ‘dry’. form a crust. This should not be confused Always use barrier protection such as The healing time for a with pus, which would indicate infection. condoms, otherwise you are at increased genital piercing can be from Male Genital piercing aftercare risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted 2 to12 weeks. infection. including glans penis piercing such as Remember these times are PA, Reverse PA, Apadravya, Ampallang, Signs of infection Dydoe and Frenum, as well as for other approximate and will depend If appropriate aftercare is not followed piercings including Hafada, Scrotum, infection may occur. The signs of on how healthy you are and Foreskin and Guiche. whether you look after the infection are: Soak the piercing for a few minutes by piercing properly until healed. • Swelling and redness that increases submerging the area of skin containing around the wound. As with all body art, infection is the piercing in a clean container, such as a bowl containing a warm water solution a risk. To reduce these risks take • A severe burning and throbbing (1/4 level teaspoon of preferably sea salt sensation round the site. advice from your practitioner to an egg cup/shot glass of warm water). regarding aftercare. Alternatively wet a clean cloth or gauze • Increased tenderness and increasingly in the solution and apply as a warm painful to touch. The risk of infection can be compress. This will soften any discharge greatly reduced by good and allow you to clean the entry and exit • An unusual discharge (yellow or green) with an offensive smell. general hygiene including: points of the piercing with a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened then jewellery can be gently Speak to your practitioner or seek medical • Hand washing before attention immediately if you suffer from touching the piercing moved so as to work a little warm water through the piercing. When cleaning any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your piercing or if • Keeping the piercing clean. always tighten the ball on any bars by screwing the ball to the right. there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used. Do this twice each day, preferably after washing or bathing.

When cleaning always tighten the ball on For further advice or information: any bars by screwing the ball to the right. Contact your local Environmental Health Department, or your local Public Health Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh England Health Protection Team disposable paper towel/kitchen roll. This Information is provided by: A communal hand/bath towel should Public Health England North West never be used. Public Health England East Midlands Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union

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June 2013