Minor Nipple Piercing Infection

[Neil Cree]

I seem to have a minor infection in my recent nipple piercing .. increased pain redness, slightly swollen.  Internet friends have advised Neosporin or Betadine.  However, I think these are brand names for Products in the US and I was wondering what the equivalent UK product would be.  Can you help?

Thanks,

Neil.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Neil:

Many red inflammations are not true infections.  In the case of body piercing, ear, nipple, or other, the redness one sees may be just a foreign body reaction, in other words, the body rebelling aginst being pierced.  Unless the ring is stainless steel, it may also represent allergy to nickel in the ring.  My advice is to compress the area for 5-10 minutes teice a day with warm water, then apply a topical antibiotic, just in case.  Chemical names include neomycin or bacitracin.  I don not agree with Mohamed that you ought to seek oral antibiotics or anthistamines, unless your condition does not subside.  If it doesn't, which I doubt, you may need to remove the ring.

Best.

Dr. R

[Mohamed Lasheen]

My dear ,
You Should take systemic antibiotic as velosef 500 mg cap,
                       Antiallergic as zyrtic tab,
                       also topical cream as fucidin cream
                       Betadine =Povidone-iodine