Everything we see in the media today from doctors and medical professionals make you believe that all piercings and tattoos are constantly infected and causing all sorts of trouble, even fatalities. People with body modifications don't want to go to the doctors for things, because they know they'll get yelled at or treated unfairly. To be fair to them however, can you really blame them? People don't go to doctors and dentists when they're feeling at the top of their prime...they only go when they're feeling pain! Statistically, medical professionals don't notice well healed piercings because attention isn't brought to them. They see the chipped teeth, tooth decay,fractures, drift, impact damage, mastitis, infections, etc. that come with not doing things the way they're supposed to be done and refusal to follow directions. Anything that breaks the body's natural protective barrier can potentially cause problems. Naturally, this isn't limited to body piercings, tattoos, and other modifications, however, a lot more emphasis has been put on them due to the media lambasting anything they feel isn't in the "norm".
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One major concern of heavily modified individuals is the label of self harm so many get forced on them. With the state of affairs in many countries now-a-days, doctors can theoretically state that you aren't in your "right mind" because of their own bias towards modifications of any kind, and have you committed for evaluation, sometimes against your will. Is it any wonder that many people on BME have become self-sufficient and take care of their own pain and wound management without going to the professionals?
However, just recently I was in the position where I attempted a modification myself and I failed. A harrowing experience, for sure, but I learned quite a bit from the reactions of those around me, especially concerning modifications in general. Your health is of utmost importance, even moreso when you're trying to heal a piercing or tattoo, or something more invasive like a scarification or implant. So how do you go to the doctors, knowing that they might have an immediate opinion formed of you based on how you look?
Throughout this past year, I've had to switch insurance companies a lot, for various reasons.This involved me leaving my doctor of 10 years, and needing to find another one. Naturally, I've had a hell of a time finding one that didn't despise modifications, but actually would help me take care of them with my Ulcerative Colitis which includes a weakened immune system. So these tips have been picked up over the year, which has been a big year both for my disease and for my modifications. Some may be useful to you, and others might not be...but I hope you can learn something that might help in the long run about what to do with modifications when you need to deal with doctors on the side.
First, follow proper aftercare. Yes, this seems stupid and redundant to say, but the sad fact is many people don't follow the aftercare given to them, or try things that have worked great for other people. If your artist tells you what works good for them, use that. That way, if something goes wrong, you can go back to the artist and sort out what problems might be occurring. They're going to have a tough time diagnosing if it's a problem with the jewelry, ink allergies, or placement if you're cleaning it with something that's harsh and prohibitive to healthy healing. A simple salt soak is usually sufficiently for perfect healing every time, without the harshness of soaps and alcohols which aren't good for your skin or your piercing.
Second, once at the doctors- if you're not there for anything related to your modifications, simply brush off their comments. Keep the appointment factual and on topic for what you're there for. If you're there for a check up or something, there's no reason for comments to range to getting a brain infection from a tongue piercing or any other usual comments directed towards modified individuals. Try not to be offended, and just pass it off as slight ignorance, because getting offended and copping an attitude will generally only tend to enforce the stigmatic bias the other person already has, and will likely cause more trouble and rudeness through the appointment.
If you are there for your modifications, don't make it your first stop. Doctors tend to treat them as wounds that need to be closed, and just don't know what to do and how to respond to healing a "wound" open. Go to your artist first, because they've had experience with healing these things and will generally be able to assist you with making the healing process a lot less traumatic and more enjoyable. Don't take anything before or during healing that will thin out your blood. After a blood transfusion and emergency surgery following an attempted tooth amputation, I had to learn that a very hard and painful way! Bleeding is normal during and after procedures. Know your own body though. Some people don't bleed easily, so a little might be a huge warning sign. Others who are anemic with low iron or have other health issues might bleed a lot and it isn't symbolizing any large trauma. I was told to expect "light spotting" with my vertical hood piercing. I panicked when I realized I had bleed through an overnight sanitary napkin in less than an hour...but waited it out overnight to see what would happen. Because of my low iron, I just bleed a little more profusely. I knew my body, so I let it go, but someone else may need to seek emergency attention immediately.
When you go, KNOW YOUR STUFF. Yes, this is more redundant advice, but I've found it works amazingly well. When your modifications are causing problems and your artist can't help or told you to see a physician, coming prepared can make a world of difference. Read up on the risks so you can explain the possibilities and what could have happened. Bring along the aftercare sheet you were given if you still have it, or at the very least a list of what you have been doing for aftercare. If possible, print out a picture of a healed example. Keep in mind that most doctors have never seen advanced procedures such as implants or scarifications/cuttings, and might not know what final result they're supposed to be working towards- for all they know, it's supposed to look like that!
And finally, if you think your piercing is infected, NEVER remove it. Go straight to a doctor and request a run of antibiotics. Taking out the jewelry traps the infection inside the body, which is the main cause for the bad hype modifications have received because this can cause a lot of more serious problems. Being well informed can help you be safe instead of sorry, and keep the line of communication between your doctor and yourself open and bias-free.