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HEALTHY BEAUTY
Healthy Beauty ! Reference
Nipple Piercing
By Susan Bernstein
 Reviewed by Gabriela Pichardo, MD on June 13, 2021
IN THIS ARTICLE
Health Concerns
Safe Nipple Piercing
Managing the Pain
How to Care for Your Nipple Piercing
What to Expect
Will the Piercing Close Up?
Cost and Safe Types of Jewelry
Do you plan to get your nipple pierced? Make sure the

procedure is done safely and that you know how to
care for your nipple after it’s pierced.
A DV ERTI S EM ENT
Health Concerns
Nipple piercing has some health risks. If you have a

health condition or take medication that makes you
more likely to get an infection or bleed a lot, nipple
piercing could be riskier for you.
Longer healing time. Nipple tissue takes longer to

heal than most other pierced areas of your body. It
may take up to 6 months for yours to heal.
Lactation and breastfeeding. Nipple piercing could

cause problems if you want to breastfeed. Scar tissue
around the pierce or your nipple ring could block your
milk ducts. Piercings that damage the nerves in your
nipple may make it hard for milk to come out. Nipple
jewelry can make it harder for your baby to latch
on. Your baby might even swallow or choke on a loose
nipple ring. Don’t get your nipple pierced if you’re
pregnant or breastfeeding. Wait a few months after
you complete breastfeeding.
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A DV ERTI S EM ENT
Abscesses. A pierced nipple is more likely to form an

abscess. That’s a painful, pus-filled lump under the
nipple or in your breast. You’ll need to see the doctor
for treatment.
Infection. Nipples are sensitive tissue and connected

to milk ducts. A nipple pierce is more likely to get
infected than some other types of piercings.
Infections can happen well after you get your nipple or
areola, the darker ring around the nipple, pierced. Like
any other body piercing, unsterilized equipment can
put you at risk for infection with blood-borne diseases
like HIV, hepatitis B or C, or tetanus.
Torn skin. If your nipple ring gets caught on your

clothes and rips loose, it can tear your skin and require
stitches.
Safe Nipple Piercing
Make sure you get your nipple piercing done by a

licensed professional in a clean studio. Never pierce
your own nipple or let a friend do it.
When you choose a place to get pierced, make sure:
The studio is clean.
They do piercings and tattoos in separate areas.
A staff member asks you if you’re pregnant or

breastfeeding and refuses to pierce you if
you say yes.
Nipple piercing equipment and rings are

sterilized in a machine called an autoclave.
Piercings are done with sterile, single-use

needles sealed in a packet that’s opened in front
of you.
They don’t use piercing guns. These can’t be

properly sterilized.
The staff member washes their hands before

and after the piercing.
They wear a new pair of disposable latex gloves

while they pierce you.
They give you detailed instructions on how to

care for your nipple after it’s pierced.
Your jewelry is the right size for your nipple.
Managing the Pain
There will be some pain when you get your nipple

pierced. It’ll typically be sore for a week after the
piercing. You may also bleed, itch, or see swelling or
discharge from the wound. Your nipple may feel sore
or irritated as it heals over the next few months.
How to Care for Your Nipple Piercing
While it’s healing, keep your pierced nipple clean to

prevent infection:
Wash your hands with antimicrobial soap and

warm water before you touch or wash your
nipple.
If you see any crusty stuff around your nipple

ring, gently rinse it off with warm water.
After you wash your nipple, pat it dry with a clean

paper towel.
You can also soak your nipple in a saltwater

solution made of a half-teaspoon of sea salt and
warm water . You can let it air dry or pat it dry.
Try not to let your nipple ring snag on your

clothes, towels, or sheets. This could tear your
skin and lead to an infection.
You can wear a padded bra, thick sports bra, or

cotton T-shirt to protect your newly pierced
nipple.
What to Expect
As your nipple heals, you may see some white crust.

Your nipple may be sore, irritated, or itchy at times.
Even after it heals, you may notice some waxy ooze or
crust.
If you notice these signs of an infected nipple, see

your doctor:
Hot, sensitive, or painful nipple
Nipple oozes yellow, green, or brown discharge,

or smells bad
Swelling
Fever
Body aches
Rash
Fatigue
Redness that spreads out from the piercing
Will the Piercing Close Up?
Some women remove their nipple rings to breastfeed.

Milk can leak out of the piercing. The hole may get
smaller or close up after a few weeks. But you’ll
probably be able to put your nipple ring in again after
you’re done breastfeeding.
If your piercing closes up for any reason, go to a

professional studio to have it redone. Don’t try to re-
pierce it yourself.
Cost and Safe Types of Jewelry
Nipple piercing costs vary, so shop around. It may

cost more than ear piercing. The studio will charge
you for the piercing and nipple jewelry separately.
Only use nipple jewelry that’s less likely to cause an

allergy. This includes metals like gold, stainless steel,
titanium, platinum, and niobium. Nickel jewelry is
cheaper, but it’s more likely to cause skin reactions.
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FURTHER READING
Breastfeeding Hints and Hurdles
Breast and Nipple Discharge: What It Could Mean
What Causes Inverted Nipples?
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Healthy Beauty ! Reference

 Reviewed by Gabriela Pichardo, MD on June 13, 2021

Safe Nipple Piercing

Managing the Pain

How to Care for Your Nipple Piercing

Will the Piercing Close Up?

Cost and Safe Types of Jewelry

Do you plan to get your nipple pierced? Make sure the

Nipple piercing has some health risks. If you have a

Longer healing time. Nipple tissue takes longer to

Lactation and breastfeeding. Nipple piercing could

Quiz: Myths and Facts About Baby Eczema "

7 Types of Eczema "

11 Common Causes of Skin Rashes "

Abscesses. A pierced nipple is more likely to form an

Infection. Nipples are sensitive tissue and connected

Torn skin. If your nipple ring gets caught on your

Safe Nipple Piercing

Make sure you get your nipple piercing done by a

When you choose a place to get pierced, make sure:

The studio is clean.

They do piercings and tattoos in separate areas.

A staff member asks you if you’re pregnant or

Nipple piercing equipment and rings are

Piercings are done with sterile, single-use

They don’t use piercing guns. These can’t be

The staff member washes their hands before

They wear a new pair of disposable latex gloves

They give you detailed instructions on how to

Your jewelry is the right size for your nipple.

Managing the Pain

There will be some pain when you get your nipple

How to Care for Your Nipple Piercing

While it’s healing, keep your pierced nipple clean to

Wash your hands with antimicrobial soap and

If you see any crusty stuff around your nipple

After you wash your nipple, pat it dry with a clean

You can also soak your nipple in a saltwater

Try not to let your nipple ring snag on your

You can wear a padded bra, thick sports bra, or

As your nipple heals, you may see some white crust.

If you notice these signs of an infected nipple, see

Hot, sensitive, or painful nipple

Nipple oozes yellow, green, or brown discharge,

Redness that spreads out from the piercing

Will the Piercing Close Up?

Some women remove their nipple rings to breastfeed.

If your piercing closes up for any reason, go to a

Cost and Safe Types of Jewelry

Nipple piercing costs vary, so shop around. It may

Only use nipple jewelry that’s less likely to cause an

SHOW SOURCES Follow us

© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

View privacy policy and trust info 

Breastfeeding Hints and Hurdles

Breast and Nipple Discharge: What It Could Mean

What Causes Inverted Nipples?

Tips for Nursing Mothers: Common Problems

Nipple Problems Topics !