Swimming and Fresh Piercings

Well we are now approaching that time of year again here in Australia when the question of Summer fun in the water is asked often when people are considering getting a new piercing.

Care should be taken with fresh piercings and swimming for the first month or so.

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:

  • public swimming pools
  • home pools that are not well maintained
  • public and home spas
  • rivers and lakes because there is no bacterial control
  • and “still” salt water like bay beaches.

While your piercing has not yet healed, it is an open wound that is prone to infection if you bathe in water with a high bacterial content. The worst offender in this is heated spa’s.

Surf beaches are usually ok. The water here is much cleaner than other choices.

If you want to take a dip and you’re unsure regards the quality of the water – or whether your piercing is healed – please use a waterproof dressing such as tegaderm. Waterproof dressings are available from most pharmacies.

Rinse your piercing with clean water after swimming – and ENJOY YOUR SUMMER 🙂

Remember to not leave infections untreated. They can turn nasty quickly.

 

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