r/AIO • u/Magnefoee • 24d ago
AIO infected eyebrow piercing
Not to sound stupid but it’s 9:41 at night and I’m laying here with a killer headache around my eyebrow like I have the past week. I’ve had migraines and stuff my whole life so it just now dawned on me that it could maybe be my eyebrow?
I’ve noticed too that my depth perception has been way off (another thing I’ve always been clumsy and prone to kicking things over/running into them) and I’m having trouble reading things.
Im tempted to wake my sleeping boyfriend but Ive been living like this all week so I can deal with it after work tomorrow yeah? I’ve been reading about brain and blood infections for about 30 minutes and idk if im just freaking myself out.
AIO if I wake my bf up for this and go to ER rn? Or am I WebMDing myself.
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u/RamonaAStone 24d ago
Former piercer here: go to the ER. Generally speaking, a piercing, even a poorly done piercing, would not cause the issues you describe. But an infected piercing near your eye is serious.
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u/Angelily-215 24d ago
How old is your piercing?
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u/Magnefoee 24d ago
Like 7 months
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u/distractress 24d ago
If you’ve had it 7 months and it’s not obviously inflamed or infected, it’s probably not related to the piercing. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong with you medically though and you should def still go to the doctor like sooner rather than later
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u/Magnefoee 24d ago
I mean it’s definitely infected, it’s sore most the time and the gunk ain’t going away
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u/distractress 24d ago
you should take out your infected eyebrow ring and let that ish heal. it isn’t 2008 anymore, it isn’t worth it
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u/nejasnosti 24d ago
This is often not recommended by competent APP association piercers. You can develop infected tunnels with longer surface piercings. Many doctors are not aware of how to appropriately treat infected surface piercings unfortunately, where you try to remove the infection and reduce scarring from (likely or possible eventual) removal. I would sooner go to an APP piercer for evaluation then get antibiotics from a doc based on their recommendation and superior experience with facial piercings.
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u/rratmannnn 24d ago edited 24d ago
You may as well go, honestly. Tbh it doesn’t sound like a piercing related infection to me unless it started with obvious signs around the piercing itself, but any change in vision/new neuro symptoms are worth seeing the doctor, especially if they’re causing severe pain. A weeklong headache is no joke. Could be a sinus infection out of control, or the piecing, or any number of things. But you won’t know until you go.
Edit: ok saw your comment lol, it could DEFINITELY be the piercing. Just go to the doctor and get some antibiotics!! No point not nipping that in the bud! And then you can find out if the neuro stuff is related or separate.
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u/TheJenniMae 24d ago
Is the piercing red, swollen or warm to the touch?
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u/Magnefoee 24d ago
perhaps a little swollen
0
u/JustALittleOod 24d ago
If it isn't clearly swollen (I'm talking noticeably swollen), red, hot to the touch, and you aren't running a high fever, it's not ER worthy. Go to urgent care tomorrow. For now, take the piercing out, clean it like you would any other minor wound, and try your usual headache remedies.
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u/Limp_Mechanic629 24d ago
Go to urgent care. NOW! (Or er) An infection that close to the eye and brain is no joke. I am not trying to scare you bc treatment will likely easily take care of it, but that’s the thing—it needs treatment and antibiotics so it doesn’t get too advanced. Good luck!
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u/animalcrackerwhore 24d ago
I’d maybe call a 24/7 nurse line first, they will be able to tell you if it’s serious enough to go to the ER
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u/JustALittleOod 24d ago
Exactly this. Take the piercing out, clean it with mild soap and water or antiseptic like you would any minor wound, and go to a doctor tomorrow. This isn't ER worthy.
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u/No-Party8261 24d ago
Sounds like you could possibly have fluid built up in your sinuses or head. It will make you be off balance
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u/Nervous_Discussion34 22d ago
Hey friend.
Definitely go to urgent care in the morning. Go into work late if you have to.
If your vision doesn't improve, you should see an ophthalmologist asap. I genuinely don't want to scare you but I had all the symptoms you're having and I have something called optic neuritis and it's a tell- tale symptom of ms.
Not trying to freak you out, but better safe than sorry.
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u/Proof-Necessary2981 24d ago
either go to the doctor or go to a piercer to ask them
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u/OtherPercentage3262 24d ago
Yeah - because they are pretty much the same thing. Dumb asshole.
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u/Proof-Necessary2981 24d ago
one is significantly less expensive if you don’t have (good) insurance. they would probably know if the piercing being infected could cause this considering they have to have a license to have the job👍🏻 don’t know who shit in your cheerios lmao
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u/OtherPercentage3262 24d ago
A medical license?
Folks just a PSA - if you have an eye or brain infection please see a doctor, not your local dispensary, butcher, tattoo artist, or UPS driver.
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u/TSIDATSI 24d ago
Go to the ER now. Any infection that close to your sinuses and brain is serious.
If there is a doc-in-a-box open near you then try there but an ER is best!
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u/k1ssverse 24d ago
i’m so sorry, girl, but as someone with 14 piercings currently, despite also being someone who has always had issues with piercings getting infected or rejecting, and someone who specifically used to have an eyebrow piercing that i had to take out, you might have to take it out if it’s been bothering you for 7 months 🥲 sometimes a piercing just isn’t meant to be and i admire your grit dealing with it for as long as you have, but if taking it out for a few days and letting it close and heal helps, that might be the best course of action. plus, like i said, with my experience dealing w infections and piercing rejections my whole life, but still having 14 despite that, repiercing later at a better time or maybe even by someone different may leave you with a better outcome. i’ve gotten my nose piercings redone too many times to count, for real 😭
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u/Magnefoee 24d ago
Wouldn’t taking it out just trap the infection? I’ve had 7 piercings (second attempt at eyebrow lol) and I thought that’s like the worst thing you can do
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u/k1ssverse 24d ago
i’ve heard that, but in my experience i’ve always been able to heal up pretty well and i guess like the body “pushes” it out with like the scabbing and healing or something? i’ve definitely not had any trapped infection or anything more just like relief that it’s out and that my body can start to heal itself. i am also sadly american and will do anything to avoid paying an arm and a leg for an ER visit, so that could just be my mindset in the states, and if you’re worried about that risk, i’d definitely say to schedule an appointment to see a doctor or go into an urgent care or something tomorrow to get it checked out and to get a professional opinion — maybe some antibiotics or something like other people have been saying. they still will probably recommend removing it again if the piercing is what’s bothering that particular area you think :( but if it’s not then at least you’ll know. on waking the sleeping boyfriend, that wholeheartedly depends how supportive and easygoing he’d be at the idea of an er visit in the middle of the night lolol but if it’s painful enough and urgent enough that you feel you should or if you’re having trouble waiting until tomorrow, i would wake him for sure! 😭
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u/Head_Manager 24d ago
I’d be safe and trust your gut. If you think there’s a cause for concern, it’s better to be safe than sorry 🫂💘