Irritation
Irritation to your skin inside and outside of the piercing is a normal side effect after you receive a piercing. Depending on the length of the healing period for your specific piercing, your immune system and aftercare regimen, your piercing may appear and feel irritated for a minimum of four weeks to one year. When the piercing site experiences irritation, your piercing will appear swollen and red, and exude a clear, white or light-yellow fluid, according to the Association of Professional Piercers. Your piercing may also itch and be tender to the touch. Washing your piercing daily and avoiding harsh products on your piercing can lessen irritation. Changing the jewelry in your piercing too early during the healing period can also cause your piercing to appear irritated.

Infection
Bacteria from your hands, if you are constantly touching your piercing, can lead to an infection in your piercing. Oral piercings are susceptible to infection when coming into to contact with another person's bodily fluids. Professional piercers suggest that you avoid deep kissing and oral sex during the healing period for oral piercings to prevent infection.

Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction to jewelry is possible when inappropriate jewelry is worn on the pierced area. You can avoid possible risks by avoiding purchasing jewelry from websites and any store that is not a professional piercing shop. Sharing jewelry with other people, even family can cause a reaction if the original owner is not aware of the metal's properties. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include the hole of the piercing increasing in size or a rash forming around the piercing. Small red bumps, similar to acne are the first signs of infection.

Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infection are also risk that threats us, especially if the piercing is not performed by professionals. Tools and needles are only rendered sterile if cleaned in an autoclave. Bacterial infections, such as staphylococci, are possible in an ear piercing from dirty equipment or disregard for the care of an ear piercing. Not cleaning the piercing, allowing saliva onto the piercing and touching the piercing with dirty hands are ways to contract an infection. The ear piercing will have excessive swelling and exude fluids containing an unpleasant odor to indicate an infection.

Bleeding
Bleeding is common during the piercing procedure and for several hours after the procedure. Some piercings, such as the male genital piercing known as a prince albert, may bleed for several days after the piercing procedure. Your piercing may bleed if it experiences a rip or tear from snagging on clothing, during sports or roughhousing or from pulling on the piercing. If you experience a rip or tear in your body piercing, visit your professional piercer. Continue to clean the piercing while the rip or tear heals and remove any excess dried blood from your jewelry.

Body Piercing & Sports
Children and adults with pierced ears must take special precautions while playing sports. Especially in the first months after piercing, the ears are susceptible to damage and infection. Adults with pierced ears must also be careful to avoid serious injuries.

Piercing Injuries
Having pierced ears poses serious risks when the person plays sports. A blow to the ears or face even a light one -- can drive the ear posts into the skin on the head and neck behind the ears, causing serious injuries. Tugging, pulling and running can pull studs out of the earlobes and rip the surrounding skin, according to pediatrician William Sears. This injury is extremely painful and can leave permanent scars.

Viral Infections
Viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV can penetrate a piercing that has not healed. These viruses may be present in the blood, saliva, semen, sweat and vaginal secretions of infected persons. Until your piercing has healed avoid any other person's bodily fluids contacting your piercing.
Newly-pierced ears are highly susceptible to infections because the body treats the piercing as an open wound, according to Sears. Sports expose the ears to more pathogens because of the close physical contact and increased likelihood of falling. Exposure to dirt, sweat and other substances during sports may cause newly pierced ears to become infected. Once the holes have fully healed, the ears are less likely to become infected, but you should avoid wearing earrings during sports.

Keep In Mind:
After you get pierced, the studs need to stay in for four to six weeks. If you remove them to play sports, the holes may close up. If you've had your ears pierced recently and plan to play sports anyway, take precautions to keep your head and ears safe. Place foam covers on the pointy backs of earrings and use tape or gauze to hold earrings in place. The best strategy, of course, is to remove the earrings and try piercing again later.

Jewelry Choice
The safest metals for all kinds of piercing are gold and titanium, which are unlikely to provoke allergic reactions or infections. Be careful with the jewrely choice. Pick an appropriate jewel, or it's the best to contact your piercing artist. It's very important that your jewelry is tightened and does not feel to loose inside your facial piercing. If the Jewelry that is too loose may also cause the wound to open too wide, creating an entrance for bacteria that may lead to infection.

Proper Care
clean the posts with alcohol or saline solution daily. If the pierced area become swollen or inflamed, consult your doctor and avoid wearing rings until the inflammation goes away.

CHECK OUT:

Genital Piercing Risks
Body Piercing-Healing Phases
Saline Solution-What to Use & How to Soak
Antibacterial Products for Piercing
Piercing Aftercare Awareness