Ideally, an antimicrobial soap should be used, but for most people a fragrance-free and dye-free liquid antibacterial soap will suffice. One must be careful not to over-wash the area as this can lead to drying the area out. Alcohol and peroxide should also not be used for the same reason. Antibacterial and antimicrobial ointments (such as Neosporin) should never be used as they seal off the wound from receiving any air. One should avoid touching the area as much as possible, and if necessary, wash their hands beforehand. Care should be taken when changing shirts so that the jewellery isn't tugged as well as when using a telephone as the receiver may spread germs to the wound and the pressure can delay healing. Otherwise, for most people, the area is tucked into the ear more so than most other cartilage piercings and is less susceptible to incidental bumps and knocks. Soreness is likely to persist for the first couple of months with the worst occurring during the first week or two. Jewellery should not be changed until at least eight weeks after the procedure. Primary healing will usually conclude within six months with full, secondary healing of the fistula complete in 12 to 18 months. Much of the cartilage in the ear receives comparatively little blood flow accounting for the increased healing time and persistent soreness. Any type of body modification jewelry can be worn in the piercing with the most common being CBRs (captive bead ring) and curved barbells. Many piercers recommend that a curved barbell is worn initially. The curved barbell has less curvature than a CBR, thus reducing strain on the healing fistula and leading to a healthier piercing and shorter healing times. People often choose relatively small diameter rings and shorter barbells owing to the confined space of the piercing. Oftentimes individuals will need assistance in removing and especially inserting jewelry due to the small area and difficulty in seeing and reaching the piercing coupled with the complexity of screwing on small parts without stripping the jewelry and/or securing the ball in a CBR. Generally, the rook piercing presents the same set of complications and risks as other cartilage piercings in the ear, although its concealed nature makes it less prone to accidental snags than other piercings. However, not everyone has suitable anatomy for a viable, long-term rook piercing. Someone with a poorly defined ridge in this area is encouraged not to have this procedure done. An experienced piercer will be able to accurately assess whether or not the client's ear is suited for a rook piercing and will likely refuse to perform the modification on someone with an inadequate ridge.