Use the tea compress up to 3 times per day. If you run out of cotton pads or gauze, try squeezing the water out of the tea bag itself and holding it to your piercing. Chamomile penetrates deeper layers of skin to fight inflammation, kills germs because it’s antimicrobial, and feels soothing on skin. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Read the instructions of the medication to make sure you’re taking the correct dosage. Make sure you aren’t allergic to any ingredients and check with your doctor to see if any painkillers will interact poorly with your existing prescriptions.

Avoid warm beverages, hot or spicy foods, tobacco, alcohol, or anything that irritates your mouth. Non-oral piercings shouldn’t swell much, so skip icing them for pain relief. The extra pressure from an ice pack could actually make the piercing swell or hurt more.

Most piercings take 6-8 weeks to heal, but it depends on the exact location and is different for every individual. [6] X Research source Some piercings, like belly button or nipple piercings, can take up to 12 months or more to fully heal.

Don’t use a cotton swab to wipe the piercing, since this could irritate the area and ultimately slow down healing or even lead to scarring.

The less you mess with your fresh piercing, the faster it will heal up.

Unless there’s an infection, avoid using any ointments. They attempt to heal the skin and might block oxygen from reaching deeper tissue. To do a saltwater soak, submerge the piercing in a small bowl full of saltwater spray or sterile saline solution or hold a dampened cloth to it for 5-6 minutes. [11] X Research source Make saline with ¼ tsp (1. 5 g) of sea salt dissolved in 8  fl oz (240 mL) of boiled water. If the solution is too salty, it will irritate your skin.

Chlorine in pools or contaminants in open water can irritate or infect a fresh piercing. The older the piercing, the better it will hold up in water.

If you have long hair, pull it back to keep it out of ear, eyebrow, or lip piercings. Talk to your piercer about protecting piercings in places like your navel or nipple. You may have to wear gauze or loose-fitting clothing for several weeks.

Diet and sleep don’t reduce pain right away like NSAIDs or a chamomile tea compress, but they limit pain in the long run during healing.

Swelling or inflammation Redness Pain or tenderness around the piercing site Discharge that may form crust around the piercing

Gently pat the site dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry. Do not use a cloth or towel since these are more likely to spread germs. If the piercing is old and fully healed, use rubbing alcohol in place of saline or piercing solution.

Wait until the piercing is dry after cleaning it to apply any ointments.

Losing feeling or getting a tingly sensation in the piercing area The skin near the piercing turns pale or cool The piercing starts to bleed enough to soak through a bandage (a small amount of blood oozing from a new piercing is normal)

Visiting an experienced piercer who works in a clean environment limits the chance of a super painful or rough piercing and infection. Professionals know exactly where to insert new piercings and can give you detailed instructions on aftercare to prevent pain and infection. [21] X Research source

The numbing effect will probably last for about 30-60 minutes. Numbing creams and sprays only affect the top layers of skin. You’ll still feel the needle, but it will hurt less than without the cream.

Try out this simple breathing exercise: plant both feet on the ground and slowly inhale for 5 counts through your nose, then exhale for 5 through your mouth. [25] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source