ou decided on a body piercing, found a reputable piercer, and survived your appointmen t. Now your piercing is doing something unexpected, and you're worried that it might be infected. Are these the normal signs of healing, or are you and your piercing headed for trouble? Read on to find out how to tell if your piercing is infected. Any time your body is injured - including piercing - you might see the five signs of inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. These are normal and indicate that your immune system is at work, but they can also be signs of infection. The difference is a matter of degree and timing. Symptoms Your piercer should tell you what to expect during healing. If y ou know what is no rmal, you will be able to detect trouble early. Let's look at the possible symptoms of infection: Redness - It is normal for a new piercing to be slightly reddened because blood flow to the area is naturally increased. Sure signs of trouble include rednes