6.2b Healing Problems: Prolonged Healing
Description
This article is from the Piercing FAQ, by Anne Greenblatt with numerous contributions by others.
6.2b Healing Problems: Prolonged Healing
Prolonged healing is indicated by failure of the piercing to complete
the final stages of healing. The epithelial layer may be weak and
easily dislodged and the entrances of the piercing often remain
ragged. If severely irritated, the area surrounding the piercing may
be red and swollen.
The most frequent causes of prolonged healing include:
- placing the piercing at an inappropriate depth or angle to the
tissue
- piercing in an area that changes shape with body movements
- wearing jewelry of inappropriate design or dimensions (gauge,
width,
length)
- wearing jewelry that is scratched or underpolished
- friction or pressure against clothing / other body parts / other
jewelry
- injury to the piercing
- chemical irritation or using an inappropriate aftercare product
A darkening of the skin between the entrances indicates that the
piercing is constricted by the jewelry. The jewelry may be too small
in diameter or length or too thick in gauge, or the piercing was
placed too deeply or at an inappropriate angle to the tissue.
Prolonged healing may indicate migration or rejection (refer to
section 6.4) or a metal sensitivity (refer to section 6.5).
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