Nipple piercing involves passing jewelry through the nipple area of the body. This is done by inserting a needle through the skin and following it with the jewelry. The aftereffects of this piercing are much like the aftereffects of any other piercing; however, the side effects can be potentially dangerous if not properly cared for.
Lymph
After the piercing, the the body's natural waste removal system will secrete lymph from the wound. This white, yellow or green pus is a common and normal side effect of piercing.
Redness
The pierced area may be sore and red for days, weeks and even months. As nipple piercings can take up to two years to heal, redness is expected--extreme redness, however, may be a sign of infection.
Infection
Infection can develop in a nipple piercing. Signs of this include extreme redness, heat, swelling, and bright-red or green lymph, and treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.
Hematoma
One of the more severe side effects, hematoma are blood-filled cysts that form at the piercing site. These require medical attention and drainage.
Keloid Scarring
Keloid scarring is the growth of permanent scar tissue at the piercing site. Keloids do not shrink in size and must be removed surgically.
Tags: piercing site, side effects
