General
Infected piercing
Virtual visit

Infected piercing

Get expert care for your infected piercing by completing a brief questionnaire and video consult with our medical team.

Licensed providers in all 50 states

Expert-guided, evidence-based treatments

Skip the trip to the doctor's office

Visit options

We'll check any insurance and show you your options before you book.

Video Visit

$25

Est. or $100 w/o insurance

Chat Visit

$30

w/o insurance

Most insurance accepted

Board-certified

No hidden fees

Available nationwide

What to expect from an Infected Piercing visit

1

Share your health story

Answer a few questions about your goals and concerns. And, we'll gather your full health history from past providers.

2

Meet your clinician

Pick a time that works for you to speak with a licensed clinician. They'll review your health story beforehand, so your visit can be used to listen and dig deeper.

3

Get your care plan

Leave with clear next steps and a personalized care plan. If you need medication, labs, or to see a specialist, your clinician will take care of the details for you.

4

Own your health

Track your progress, schedule follow-ups, and adjust care as your needs evolve. Your care team and General AI is only a few taps away.

Virtual visit with clinician

Ongoing support, always available.

You’ll be supported by experienced clinicians who care for a wide range of health needs, from everyday concerns to more complex conditions.

Our clinicians track your progress over time and adjust your care as needed. If medication is prescribed, we’ll manage dosing and monitor for side effects. If lab testing is recommended, we review results and refine your plan accordingly. You’re never left to navigate care on your own.

All your care in one place. That’s the General Medicine difference.

We help you understand your options, connect you to the right clinicians, manage prescriptions, coordinate any needed evaluations, and keep an eye on your overall health along the way. It’s comprehensive care that looks at the full picture — your goals, your history, your lifestyle — and makes it simple to move forward with confidence.

Your care plan
Clinician

Reasons to book your infected piercing visit

A piercing that's not healing or showing signs of infection needs clinical attention. This visit determines how serious it is and how to treat it properly.

Your piercing site is increasingly red, swollen, warm, or painful

You're seeing yellow or green discharge rather than normal healing fluid

Redness is spreading beyond the immediate piercing site

You have a fever alongside piercing-related symptoms

You're not sure whether to remove the jewelry or leave it in

A cartilage piercing isn't healing after weeks or is getting worse

What our customers have to say

“I feel like I’m finally on the right path to improving my health with the right support now! It’s so refreshing and reassuring.”

Emerald

“My experience with General Medicine was amazing. The understanding and care that was taken to figure out what is exactly going on with me. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me.”

Kaylee

“I couldn’t be happier with my experience with General Medicine! They are fast, responsive, kind and knowledgeable. It is much easier, more affordable and faster.”

Nika

Get the care you need, without the wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my piercing is infected versus just healing normally?

Normal healing involves mild redness, warmth, and clear or whitish discharge (lymph fluid) in the first few weeks. Infection signs include increasing pain, swelling, heat, green or yellow purulent discharge, spreading redness beyond the piercing site, fever, or a hard lump forming around the jewelry.

Should I remove the jewelry if my piercing is infected?

Not necessarily — removing jewelry can allow the piercing channel to close and trap infection inside. In many cases, keeping the jewelry in while treating the infection is appropriate. Your clinician will advise based on the severity of infection and whether the jewelry needs to be removed for drainage or treatment.

Can I treat an infected piercing at home?

Mild superficial infections may respond to twice-daily saline wound washes and keeping the area clean. Signs of moderate or spreading infection — increasing redness, discharge, fever, or a visible abscess — require clinical evaluation and often oral antibiotics.

What type of bacteria typically causes piercing infections?

Staphylococcus aureus — including MRSA — and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are among the most common causative organisms, particularly in cartilage piercings. Cartilage infections (ear, nose) are more serious than lobe infections and more prone to complications if undertreated.

What side effects are associated with infected piercing treatments?

Topical antiseptics may cause skin irritation and are not recommended for open wounds — saline is preferred. Oral antibiotics (typically dicloxacillin, cephalexin, or TMP-SMX for MRSA coverage) may cause GI upset. Adequate treatment duration is important — undertreated cartilage infections can lead to perichondritis and deformity. Infected Piercing visit What to expect from a Infected Piercing visit
Logo

© 2026 Path Healthcare Systems Corp.