Infection after body piercing

Recently (Feb 2001) had body piercing in form of a Prince Albert. This never seems to have healed properly. Read the following information on-line which seems to tie in exactly to my condition:

"A common infection that occurs is the presence of granulation tissue at the puncture site. This is heaped up flesh that often drains, bleeds and has a foul smell. This is caused by chronic infection that the body is trying to wall off. This is simply treated by applying silver nitrate (AgN03) TO THE TISSUE OR THE USE OF A STYPIC PENCIL. this cauterizes the tissue and lets the infection resolve, often very quickly"

A trip to the local chemist to ask for a "stypic pencil" left me leaving with the following : AVOCA the complete wart and verruca treatment. This contains toughened silver nitrate BP 95%. The instructions on this are for warts and verrucas. It does say NOT to use on genital warts.

Question - Can I use this treatment on my condition ?
Question - If not what else can I use ?

Further info is that I am in military where this form of body piercing is frowned upon and therefore VERY reluctant to visit medics !

Many thanx in anticipation

BRUM

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You can use that on the problem.  If it doesn't heal up in a week, you may want to have the pierce removed.  (I thought a Prince Albert is a long dark coat, so I'm having trouble visualizing what a pierce in that shape would look like, or what part of the body was pierced.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

P.S.  The word, by the way, is "styptic."