Crusty nipple piercing?

I got my nipple pierced nearly 5 years ago now and it healed really well. It got the odd crusty around the bar over the years but lately it's got so much worse, I'm cleaning large amounts of crust of the bar a few times a day. About 5 days ago it was really itchy and uncomfortable so I was rubbing at it a little trying to itch it and moving the bar around, the day after was when the crustiness started. Earlier today I noticed white discharge coming from the piercing hole. Is it possible its infected after nearly 5 years of being fine? I've had the same bar in for about 2 years so I dont think it's the metal. I also started birth control 2months ago so I'm not sure if it could be that. Or is it possible these are signs of something more serious?

Edit-thank you! I've ordered a surgical steel nipple bar and will clean it as if it's a new piercing. I had no idea keeping the jewellery in for a long time could cause a problem.