*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

This Week - I : Infected Piercings

An infected piercing can be serious if it's not treated quickly. Get immediate medical help if you think your piercing is infected.

What's normal for a new piercing

For the first few weeks a new piercing might:

be tender, itchy, and the surrounding area may look slightly red on white skin, or a little darker than usual on dark skin
produce a pale fluid that forms a crust

If you've had an ear or nose cartilage piercing, small lumps can sometimes form around the piercing.

The lumps, called granulomas, are trapped fluid. You can treat them by soaking a pad in warm water then holding the pad against them once a day.

Your piercing might be infected if:

the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark (depending on your skin colour)
there's blood or pus coming out of it - pus can be white, green or yellow
you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell

Leave your jewellery in, unless a doctor tells you to take it out.

You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. This can be a cream, ointment, or tablets.

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of a piercing getting infected.

choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer
clean your piercing twice a day
use warm, salty water to soften any crusting
gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing
use a clean paper towel to dry the piercing
gargle with salty water or an alcohol-free mouthwash if you have a mouth piercing

If you're thinking about getting a piercing, ask the piercer:

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.