XP: Anyone have pierced nips before BFing?

Army~Wife

I got my nips pierced somewhere around 10 years ago. I took them out about a year before I got PG with DD1. It didn't pose much of an issue during BFing either LO. Just another hole for milk to release.

Well, now that I've weaned (3/20 was the last time) I am experiencing some backup in the tunnels of the piercings. The ends have closed so there's nowhere for it to go. It is painful if I mess with it but I'm worried about it eventually become infected.

Has anyone else experienced this or other complications with nipple piercings related to BFing?