Q: Do you have jewelry that can be safely worn during MRI or X-ray scans? -Alex B

A: These are two different imaging procedures and require two different approaches. An X-ray will pick up any jewelry you have in, regardless of what material it’s made of. However, because an X-ray is not using magnets, you may not have to remove your jewelry at all. It depends entirely on what part of your body is being imaged and whether the jewelry is going to block the area that your doctor needs to see. (For example, a dental X-ray will pick up any lip or tongue piercings, regardless of the jewelry, and can block your dentist from being able to see everything. But if your abdomen is being imaged, your oral jewelry won’t make a difference.) An MRI is different in that it uses magnets so to prevent your jewelry from turning into shrapnel you either need to make sure your jewelry is not ferro-magnetic or remove it. (Check with the medical center that is performing the MRI as they all have different rules regarding piercings and the MRI machine!) BodyCandy carries Bioplast retainers in several different styles that should be appropriate for most piercings including septum, oral or ear cartilage piercings, and belly piercings. If your lobes are stretched, we also carry solid glass plugs – remember, NO GLITTER. These are not meant to be left in long-term so don’t forget to change your jewelry after your procedure is finished. Best of luck!

Q: I think my piercing is infected. What should I do for it? Saline spray isn’t helping much. -Callie

A: If your piercing is infected (red, swollen, warm, oozing opaque yellow or green, painful) as opposed to irritated (red, painful, has a bump, possibly oozing clear yellow), the best thing to do is always going to be the same thing. Get medical attention. If you have a true infection going on, saline is not going to help it. You would need antibiotics. DO NOT remove the jewelry before seeing a doctor. There is a risk of the infection getting trapped in the tissue which can make the situation even worse. If the jewelry needs to come out, the doctor would be the one to make that decision when the time is right. Don’t mess around with your health. If your piercing is infected, you need to see a doctor. Once an infection has taken hold, it is way past the time where cleaning with saline would accomplish anything. Take care!

Disclaimer: Body Candy is only here to give you fun and helpful advice and information when it comes to getting pierced. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you!