In most cases, an infected eyebrow piercing can be successfully treated at home without the need to remove the piercing. As soon as the affected area begins to look red and feel warm, treatment should begin. The hands should be washed thoroughly with antibacterial soap, and a sterile saline solution should be used to soak the area. After soaking the area, warm compresses should be applied to the piercing for about 30 minutes before using an antibiotic ointment. This process should be repeated several times per day until the area has healed.
The first step in treating an infected eyebrow piercing is to make sure the hands are clean. While the use of sterile gloves is an option, most people do not keep these gloves around the house. An antibacterial soap should be used to wash the hands, and special care should be taken to make sure the nails are cleaned as well. A nail brush is a useful tool in making sure that the nails are completely clean and sanitized. If any harmful bacteria remains on the hands, the infection is likely to become worse instead of better.
Once the hands have been thoroughly cleaned, a sterile saline solution should be used to soak the infected eyebrow piercing. This solution can be purchased at most pharmacies, although it can easily be made at home if desired. To make the saline solution, sea salt should be added to a glass of warm water until the mixture tastes similar to the body’s natural tears. The mixture should then be poured into a small container, such as a shot glass. This glass is then held against the infected piercing for about three minutes.
After the infected eyebrow piercing has been soaked with the saline solution, the remainder of the solution should be used to create a warm compress. A washcloth can be used to absorb the warm solution and then applied to the affected area. When the washcloth becomes cool, the process should be repeated with warm water and continued for about 30 minutes.
The entire process is typically repeated two or three times per day until all signs of infection are gone. Some people may prefer to apply an antibiotic ointment to the infected eyebrow piercing at least once per day, although this is not usually necessary. If the infection persists or seems to become worse, a doctor should be consulted for further evaluation.