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Suggest Remedies For An Infected Nasal Piercing

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Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Question: Hi, I have a nasal piercing that has become infected, I have had it for about 7 years now but recently had to force a ring back in, I have seen a doctor who said that I have cellulitis around my piercing, it does not hurt nearly what it did a week ago and is looking better, there was very minimal purulent drainage last week and then it went away but I was given Fucidin to apply 3x daily for 7 days but was told after 2 or 3 days to come back if it wasnt improving. this morning after having applied it last night I woke up with lots of pus draining from it and the redness seems to have reduced a bit from before, I am nervous though because I cannot take pills and I know this is the second option of this cream doesnt work.What else can I do? I am wondering if you think that a topical antibiotic should rid the infection and is the drainage is a good thing? Also, should I be doing a hot compress? I should mention that I was told NOT to remove the nose ring as it acts as a passage for the cream and it could become an abscess if it traps the infection. Please help :(

Thank you,

B
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Systematic home care mostly helps.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome to health care magic. I have read your query carefully & understand your concern.
- You are applying Fucidin locally to the infected nasal piercing. .. for past 3-5 days , still the pus discharge continues.. so you are worried..
- Another thing , most of the times nose piercing infections are managed well with local antibiotics only.. provided the application is methodical.. .as explained below.
* wash your hands properly with soap & water before you touch the part.
Cleaning of the infected part with soap water/ saline soaked cotton
swab is important. Removal of dried debris & dead tissue while cleaning is a must. After cleaning dry it with sterile paper napkins & apply ointment thoroughly on affected part. Use a autoclaved swab stick for application/ cleaning inner side of nose.. gently Please make it a point not to press the ring while doing so.( If you can not do it yourself, taking help of a nurse is worth )
* Fucidin is a bacteriostatic( does not allow bacteria to grow. ) ointment.. I would suggest application of a bactericidal( killing the bacteria).. ointment like Soframycin. for better relief.If there is lot of inflammation/ cellulitis ( redness).. you can add a dot of local steroid to it for few days.
* Keeping high nutritious diet with vitamins ( specially vitamin B complex & C would help.
* using hot water for cleaning helps to relieve pain/ increases blood circulation to hasten the healing.
- Yes , your doctor is correct. Do not remove the ring.. it may block the passage for pus ( drainage is good )& form abscess.
-The cleaning & application with ointments would start showing the result in a couple of days. In case there is no response.. oral antibiotics & anti inflammatory drugs is the answer. but you said , you can not take pills .. Could you please explain & tell me why ?This would allow me to suggest alternative methods to provide antibiotics in your body.
I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Please do not forget to close & grade the answer , in case you find it useful.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (3 hours later)
Hello Dr,

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation, I really appreciate it and your suggestion of another type of bacteria killing cream and steriod cream is very helpful. I do understand the process as well. Also, it is worth mentioning that for a week I was only cleaning with saline, today will be only
My second day using the fucidin cream. Also, as far as oral antibiotics, I have never ever been able
To take pills (or any kind of bitter tasting liquid), I have always had extreme anxiety with the prospect of being "forced" to take oral medication to clear up an issue. I have always tried to crush them
And take them in juice or jam
Etc but I can never get them down properly and end up actually gagging instead snd having a panic attack, unfortunately most doctors I have spoke to dont understand and continue to tell to tell me that I have to learn to do it anyway. I wish it werent the case as I know there are certain conditions that require medication however I try to use altwrnative methods. For example, if i have a headache, I will either deal with the pain to avoid taking anything or I will end up taking childrens chewables so educe the pain, I am on birth control as well and cant take a pill so I use an IUD instead. It is also worth mentioning that I have an allergy to penicillan which I know makes it difficult as it rules out lots of families of medication too. I apologize for the lengthy reply, I appreciate your help alot! Thank you so much.
Brittni
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Try home care / consult your doctor for parenteral antibiotic if needful

Detailed Answer:
h B. admaczyk,
Thanks for the follow up information.
* I would advise to give a couple of days more to Fucidin cream to allow it to work. If there is no improvement in 3 more days/ the symptoms increase in spite of the dressings.. you should switch on to Soframycin ointment.
* IN ability to take oral medication is seen in quite a few persons... it's due to some psychological barrier set in while growing up. Please don't try to force yourself , other wise the problem will get exaggerated.Please don't worry you will solve it yourself over the time.
The way out in my view is .. to retrospect your own mind & find the cause for the repulsion. Understand how it can be overtaken by self efforts & try it.
* If there is no positive result within a week you need to add suitable antibiotic for healing with your doctor's advise.
- You can continue taking children's chew-able antibiotics ( in proportionately increased dose / Injectable forms by a nurse .. dose & time of administration decided by treating doctor/ Rectal suppositories/ enemas .. again used for children in proper dose... whatever is comfortable for you.
I feel that solves your problem. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (1 hour later)
Hi Dr,

Yes, thank you so so much for all your help! I really appreciate your understanding amd taking the time to help me, youve made me frel more confident and comfortable with dealing with this issue. I hope that it will resolve with the cream, I will take your advice and continue trying what youve recommended! Thank you!

Brittni
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for feed back & welcome for any other isue on health care magic.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Brittni,
Thanks for the feed back.I am sure with your positive attitude & efforts you will make it. Similarly removing the problem of swallwing pills would be conquered by same attitude of yours !
Wish you all the luck.
Any other help you need in future, I would be happy to help. I am available on health care magic .. for serving with best of my capacity .
Thanks.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vasudha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1970

Answered : 10398 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For An Infected Nasal Piercing

Brief Answer: Systematic home care mostly helps. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Welcome to health care magic. I have read your query carefully & understand your concern. - You are applying Fucidin locally to the infected nasal piercing. .. for past 3-5 days , still the pus discharge continues.. so you are worried.. - Another thing , most of the times nose piercing infections are managed well with local antibiotics only.. provided the application is methodical.. .as explained below. * wash your hands properly with soap & water before you touch the part. Cleaning of the infected part with soap water/ saline soaked cotton swab is important. Removal of dried debris & dead tissue while cleaning is a must. After cleaning dry it with sterile paper napkins & apply ointment thoroughly on affected part. Use a autoclaved swab stick for application/ cleaning inner side of nose.. gently Please make it a point not to press the ring while doing so.( If you can not do it yourself, taking help of a nurse is worth ) * Fucidin is a bacteriostatic( does not allow bacteria to grow. ) ointment.. I would suggest application of a bactericidal( killing the bacteria).. ointment like Soframycin. for better relief.If there is lot of inflammation/ cellulitis ( redness).. you can add a dot of local steroid to it for few days. * Keeping high nutritious diet with vitamins ( specially vitamin B complex & C would help. * using hot water for cleaning helps to relieve pain/ increases blood circulation to hasten the healing. - Yes , your doctor is correct. Do not remove the ring.. it may block the passage for pus ( drainage is good )& form abscess. -The cleaning & application with ointments would start showing the result in a couple of days. In case there is no response.. oral antibiotics & anti inflammatory drugs is the answer. but you said , you can not take pills .. Could you please explain & tell me why ?This would allow me to suggest alternative methods to provide antibiotics in your body. I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome. Please do not forget to close & grade the answer , in case you find it useful. Thanks.