Brief Answer:
Antibiotic creams that can be used explained- further details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

If you have just a little redness and pain or little oozing in the area of the piercing, you can try to wash the area with warm water and a clean gauze and then gently dry it out with another clean gauze.
After that, you may apply over it an over the counter antibiotic creams such as bacitracin, Neosporin or fusidic acid (whichever you will find). You may repeat this 3 times a day.
Try to wear cotton vests and change them daily and avoid tight clothes so the area does not get irritated. You should notice an improvement within the first 2-3 days but you can continue the treatment for 5-7 days.

If the redness is spreading or there is pronounced pain or swelling or you have a fever, this may be a more important infection and in this case, oral antibiotics are needed. Oral antibiotics are only prescription drugs so it is important to see a doctor to access them.

Furthermore,
- I would advise you to send a picture or two so I can have an idea of how severe the infection is and further guide you.
- Also, it is important to know if you have a fever or any other general symptoms such as fatigue after the procedure (piercing),
- how long ago was the piercing?
- was the piercing done by a proper place with proper caution against infection?

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case the further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
This is granulomatous tissue- applying little salt at the red tissue is advised. There is no need for antibiotic cream

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Thank you for the picture. You seem to be developing umbilical granuloma which is a growth that happens commonly with piercing. It is not an infection. It can get infected but at the moment I do not think there is any complication with infection. The granuloma normally should go away on its own in a couple of weeks. You should not use any creams or lotions locally as these keep the area wet and may cause the granuloma to grow. Try to keep the area clean and dry. You may also use some salt over the granuloma a few times a day. The salt causes the granulomatous tissue to shrink and help it heal quicker.

If ithe granulomatous tissue is not going away in a couple of weeks or it is growing, then you may need to see your doctor and have it treated with silver nitrate or liquid nitrogen. Rarely, it needs to be treated surgically (removing it). Sometimes the piercing needs to be removed for the granuloma to heal.

To conclude:
- there is no infection at the piercing at the moment, the red area you have there is granulomatous tissue and this is common with piercing
- you do not need to use the antibiotic cream, actually, you should not use it at the moment as it may cause the granuloma to remain wet and grow
- you may use some salt on the red tissue a few times a day
- the granuloma should start to shrink and gradually go away in the next 1-2 weeks, if not or if it is getting bigger or you see redness or swelling or pain you will need to see your doctor.

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case the further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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