When asking for advice on aftercare, healing, or problems with a new piercing in the forum, there are a few things to include in your post that will help the Tribalectic community help you. Check out the list below, and include your answers in your thread.
1. What type of piercing do you have? (Labret, PA, Helix, etc. If you don't know the proper name, location will do)
2. What gauge (size) were you pierced at? This is also the gauge of your jewelry.
3. When was it pierced/How long has it been since it was pierced?
4. Was it done at a reputable piercer? (We do not condone talking about self-piercing before the fact at Tribe, but we will help if you have pierced yourself and have a problem)
5. Were you pierced with a gun or a needle?
6.What is your current aftercare? (Salt soaks, LITHA, etc.)
7. What type of jewelry do you have in it? (Barbell, Circular Barbell, Captive Bead Ring, etc.)
8. What is the jewelry made out of? (Titanium, Stainless Steel, Surgical Steel, etc.)
9. Have you at any point changed the jewelry, and if so, how far into the healing process? Did you change the shape of the jewelry or the metal it was made from?
10. If you are having problems with or questions about a new genital piercing (male or female), have you had sex since getting pierced? How soon after you got pierced?
11. What symptoms do you have? This is the part that most people include in their threads. Common problems with a piercing include (but are not limited to) migration, bleeding, "bumps", abscesses, re-doing crooked piercings at a later date, metal allergies, leaking fluids (normal and abnormal), etc. Try to be as descriptive as possible, and a picture always helps. If it is a picture of a genital piercing, please provide a link and do not post the photo image in the thread.
Please keep in mind that we are not doctors, just a bunch 'o pierced folks who want to help you out. We've got lots of personal experience and can be a valuable tool in your healing process, but if at any time you suspect an infection, you should see a Medical Professional ASAP. Also, a reputable piercing shop will offer you support post-piercing. Many of you are a fair drive from your piercer, but don't be afraid to call- also call if you are unsure of what metal they use standard in piercings, what gauge they pierce at (if you are unsure). If you get metal in your body, you should always know the type of metal and the gauge (thickness) of the piercing.
I will include a sample blank below to make it easy to copy and paste. You certainly are not required to fill it out to start a thread, but it will help us greatly in steering you in the right direction and getting the problem resolved.
Happy Piercing,
Phalaeo
