Clean the infected piercing with saline twice a day, do not remove the jewelry, and see a doctor if there is spreading redness, pus, or fever.
Steps
- Wash hands.
- Clean with saline solution twice a day.
- Keep the earring in so the hole drains.
- Don’t use alcohol or peroxide.
- Apply a warm compress.
See a doctor
If you have fever, spreading redness, pus, severe pain or swelling, or the piercing is in the cartilage, as it can cause serious infection.
Prevention
Use a professional piercer and clean twice daily. Healing takes 6 to 8 weeks for lobes and up to 12 months for cartilage.
Signs of infection
Normal healing symptoms include mild redness, tenderness and clear or pale fluid for the first few days. Signs of infection are increasing redness and swelling, throbbing pain, heat, yellow or green pus, bad smell, red streaks, fever or a bump that grows.
Healing times
Earlobe piercings take about 6 to 8 weeks to heal, cartilage piercings 3 to 12 months and some can take longer. Infection rates are higher in cartilage piercings, which have less blood supply.
Care steps
- Wash your hands before touching the area.
- Clean twice daily with sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride) or a gentle antibacterial cleanser, as advised by the piercer.
- Do not remove the jewelry, because the hole can close and trap infection inside.
- Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic ointments, which can irritate the skin or hinder healing.
- Avoid twisting or touching the earring.
- Keep hair, makeup and phones clean and away from the piercing.
Pain relief
A warm compress for 10 minutes a few times daily may soothe it.
Allergic reaction
Nickel in jewelry can cause a rash and itching. Use implant grade titanium, surgical steel or 14 karat gold.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if symptoms last more than 2 or 3 days, if there is pus, fever, spreading redness, or if the piercing is in cartilage. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics. Severe infections of cartilage (perichondritis) can cause permanent deformity.
Prevention
Choose a licensed piercer who uses sterile equipment and single use needles. Follow aftercare instructions, and avoid swimming for the first weeks.
Keloids
Some people form raised scar tissue (keloids) at piercings. A dermatologist can treat them.
Aftercare steps
An earlobe piercing usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, while cartilage piercings can take 4 to 12 months. Signs of infection are increasing redness, swelling, warmth, throbbing pain, yellow or green pus and fever. Do not remove the jewelry unless a doctor advises, since closing the hole can trap infection. Clean the area twice a day with sterile saline solution, wash hands before touching, and avoid hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and thick ointments that can irritate the tissue.
Medical care and prevention
See a doctor for fever, spreading redness, swelling that worsens after 2 to 3 days, or any infection in the cartilage, since cartilage infections can cause perichondritis and permanent deformity, often caused by Pseudomonas bacteria. A doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics. A rash around the hole may be a nickel allergy, so choose implant grade titanium or 14 karat gold jewelry. Keloids, raised scars, can form after piercing in some people. Use a licensed studio with sterile needles, not piercing guns, and avoid swimming in pools or lakes while healing.
Based on data from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Association of Professional Piercers
