While you are never discouraged from seeing a piercing friendly physician, if you would like assistance with your piercing please call and describe circumstances which may have led to an infection. Jewelry removal can sometimes close off the drainage point for infectious fluids to exit. Oral antibiotics are only effective with the proper administration and should only be prescribed by a physician. IRRITATIONS come in many different forms. Here are some more common causes: Avoid over cleaning. Skin can appear shinny and tender with a clear discharge may indicate that the cleanser is not the right one for the piercing. Friction caused by tight clothing, rough activities, and improper handling methods may cause a permanent dark red or purple discoloration on or near the piercing. Stress, diet, fatigue and illness may cause an increased healing period or even migration of the piercing. Changing a piercing to an unsafe or unknown metal type can cause serious reactions that are often confused with and thought to be an infection. Usually skin will pull away from jewelry and appear to be gaping with signs of a metal and cleanser reaction. Occasionally the initial jewelry selected may be inappropriate due too unexpected swelling, lack of conformation to the body, too big, too small, or even suspect of metal materials reaction. If you suspect you need an entire re evaluation of your new piercing jewelry, please call for assistance. Depending on the situation of prior service provisions this may or may not include a jewelry fee upgrade.