Nipple Piercing Reaction

[Cynthesizer]

Hi I'm Cynthia. So last Thursday I got my nipple pierced. The next day, it seemed to be healing great with barely any pain at all. But the following day I woke up and I had something that looked like a red rash all of my breast. It didn't hurt or itch. I called the piercer and she said it might be a reaction to the antibacterial soap I was using to clean it. It start using warm water and sea salt instead. The next day the redness looked much better, however, the lymph node underneath my arm began hurting so badly, I could barely move it. I went to the doctor and he said it didn't look like there was any sign of infection and to do warm compresses under my arm to help with pain. I did the warm compresses and took some advil but nothing helped. Now it's Wednesday, almost a week since I've had it pierced, and last night my neck started to hurt. I could feel all of the lymph nodes in my neck beginning to swell. Its only the lymph nodes on the right side, as I got my right nipple pierced. I went back to the doctor today and saw the nurse practitioner. She doesn't think its an infection either but it might possibly be my body's reaction to the foreign object. She suggested that I take out the piercing but I begged for antibiotics. She agreed to give me antibiotics but if they don't work, the next step it to take it out. Is it possible that an infection travel from the breast to the lymph nodes under the arm and up to the neck, without any signs of infection at the piercing site?

[Cynthesizer]

Thanks for your help guys! I took some antibiotics but they didn't seem to help so I'm pretty sure it wasn't an infection and just my body's reaction. It's been about two weeks since I've gotten the piercing and I'm feeling much better. I didn't take it out but my lymph nodes are a lot less sore and swollen. I think my body has gotten used to it =)

[MedicChick1]

your lymph nodes are where your body stores all of its antibodies and "defense" systems. when you get an infection of any kind, they will swell. the closest ones to your nipple are under your armpit and in your neck. give it a few days on the antibiotic and it should go away. otherwise, im aftraid your np is right and you would need ot take the piercing out :( hope this helps! keep us updated!!~

[Cynthesizer]

i highly doubt it's an allergic reaction to the metal because i've had my tongue pierced at the same piercing place and it didn't give me any problems =( also, if it is my body's reaction to a foreign object, do you think my body will eventually get used to having it there? i really like it and would rather not take it out unless i absolutely have to.

[FurballsMom]

It sounds like the nurse is correct.  This sounds more like an allergic reaction.  Many people are actually allergic to the metal.