The Nurse Lady » Health Tips

Naval piercing bumps

The Nurse Lady — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:04:49 +0000

Hello, I received a naval piercing about 5 days ago and it seemed ok no pain, swelling, and just a little itching no other setbacks until I woke up yesterday and there were tiny bumps around the piercing and in my naval. Is my piercing infected?

Dear Jenny,
If there are many tiny bumps it may be some type of allergic reaction. If there is pus, swelling, redness or heat it may be an infection. I would call the facility where you received the piercing and check with them first. If you continue to have the problem or it gets worse contact your physician.

Good Luck,
Nurselady

That Bloody Nose!

The Nurse Lady — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:42:42 +0000

Rumor has it when you have a bloody nose you should tilt your head back-WRONG! Tilting your head back can result in aspiration of the blood. The correct technique is to lean slightly forward, while holding a tissue or paper towel under your nose. Pinch the bridge of your nose with your other hand. If this does not stop the bleeding within a couple minutes you can put ice on the back of your neck to slow down the blood flow. Ice can be placed on the bridge of the nose also. When the bleeding stops try not to blow the nose as clotting will be occuring and you could start up the bleeding again. If you think the bleeding is due to dry, cold weather (which is often the case) you can put a little vaseline on a Q-tip and apply it gently to the inside of the nose. If the bleeding continues you may need to seek medical attention and have your nose packed or cauterized to control the bleeding. If the bleeding is severe or caused by some type of trauma you need to get medical attention immediately. I once had a student punched in the nose and the blood was pulsating(actually squirting out of his nose with every heartbeat). He left to go to the ER and had a fractured nose and cheekbone.

Piercings

info — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:11:03 +0000

You’ve got a what? Where? Was my first reaction back in the fall of 1999 when a student entered my office and told me he thought he had an infection. I had asked where? He said that over the weekend he had got a piercing in his penis.

Well I know I turned twelve shades of red and then tried to hide my mortification at the thought of it. Once I gained composure I asked what his symptoms were? He replied it is red, swollen, hot and there is yellowish pus. I then asked if his parents were aware? He said no. I then asked where he had the piercing done? A friend he replied. I told him that I was going to have to tell his parents as he was sixteen and he needed to get to a doctor. I dreaded telling his mother as I dialed her number. I really must say she took it better than I did. She picked him up and off to he doctors they went.

Since that day I’ve seen more piercings than I care to and I want to forewarn anyone considering a piercing of the possible dangers. Extra care should be taken for the following:

1. Oral piercings- can cause gum damage and cracking of your teeth. Make sure you go to a professional as I have seen some pretty ugly scarred tongues. Allergic reactions often occur (watch for tongue swelling). Rinsing with an alcohol-free mouth rinse 4-5 times daily (especially after meals).

2. Piercing of the ear cartilage-If this area becomes infected seek medical attention immediately as there is no direct blood supply to the area and antibiotics often do not work. Infection can lead to cartilage damage and ear deformity.

3 .Naval piercings can take up to nine months to heal and often keloids (scar tissue) form. Infection is very common and many times I’ve seen students just take out the naval ring and let it heal.

4. Genital piercings-watch for any signs of infection-go to doctors immediately.

General care for piercings: Clean area with warm soap and water twice daily. Remove any crusting with a wet cotton swab. Most students come back to me with instructions to use Bactine twice a day. This works well for me as I have an order for Bactine.

As with tattoos choose the facility carefully when you are about to have a piercing done. Make sure they use clean (autoclaved) and fresh equipment. Ask to see the piercer’s certificate. Make sure they use hypoallergenic jewelry and avoid the use of a piercing gun. They are difficult to autoclave and can cause tissue damage.

Random Health Tips – 8/14/2006

The Nurse Lady — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:14:30 +0000

Hiccups- Give student a glass of water. Tell the student that you are going to stand behind him/her and put your hands over their ears while they drink the entire glass of water. It has worked every time for me.

Nose blowing-For young children with runny noses that don’t know how to blow-I hold a tissue out in front of their nose. I then tell them to cover their mouth and make the tissue move by blowing air out of their nose. They enjoy the game so much that they don’t realize they have learned to blow their nose.