Infected piercing :(?

Question

i had my 4th holes pierced about 6 weeks ago now, and it has gone through the cartalidge part of my ear, they were fine for the first month and now they have swollen up and bleed alot. i have been using mild antisceptics and TCP but they are still just as bad. and i would take them out but if i do the hole will close and the infection will remain trapped in my ear.

any suggestions much appreciated?? i need to get rid of this infection!

Answer 1

i have over 20 piercings in my body. one of two things usually work.

1. osmosis method: 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in 1/2 cup hot water. wait till water is a bearable temperature, soak a cotton swab/ make up cotton pad in it and put on piercing, hold there or if the piercing can be submerged, do that. the heat and salt concentration should suck out the puss and other exudate.

2. alternatively you can buy hibiscrub/hibitane at a chemist like boots. make a 15 percent solution with boiled water that has cooled down to room temperature. and use it to clean your piercing. (15 percent soulution will be 3-4 teaspoons to 100ml of water roughly)

using both techniques dry piercing well after cleaning. it is better to clean piercing after a shower. do not clean more than 2-3 times per day as this will irritate the piercing and keloids (scar tissue) my develop.

last resort is to get a antibacterial cream from a chemist, if the infection does not start clearing up in a few days to a week consult a doctor.

good luck

Answer 2

Did you actually get them done professionally or done with a piercing gun – if done with a gun then that would be the problem (guns are very dangerous, the studs are not suitable, often causing infection and the guns cannot be sterilised so can pass on any number of bacteria or even things such as Hepatitis), remove the studs and get yourself either to a doctor or to a professional piercer. The latter being preferred as I have met many GP's who do not understand piercing, a professional piercer however will know about piercings and will know how to deal with the infection and if any further treatment is needed such as antibiotics they will let you know.

I would defiantly make sure you are wearing the correct jewellery first of all, a good titanium set of studs or rings, then stop playing with them and make sure you are not over-cleaning – go get yourself some Savilon spray, it is perfect to carry around with you and keep piercings clean.

Answer 3

Your infection may be caused by a reaction the the metal in the piercing.

Take out the item. Let the infection clear up properly and then after 6 months to a year of no problems redo the piercing but do not use the same type of metal that you are using now.

Answer 4

Go to the chemist, a proper one, and get some hydrogen peroxide, ask them for the right dilution and explain what it is for, I was recommended this by the piercer who did my belly button, it fizzes all the gunk away, it's amazing, and by far the best way to get rid of infection. However if it really bad go to the doctors as you will need antibiotics

Answer 5

take them out, if the infection hasent cleared up go to the doctors. i ended up in hospital once from a piercing was pritty discusting, involved local aniseptic and a clamp thing?!? i wouldent recomend it. in future go to a decent recomended piercer and clean it properly twice a day with salt water or saline (i cant spell) soluition which pritty much is salt water. good luck

Answer 6

Hi if you have any sort off infection the best treatment is anti-biotics,this is the ony way this will go.Go see your gp he hould give you a course off anti-biotics for 5-7days and this will clear up any infection.Good Luck

Answer 7

Um, stop wearing multiple earrings.

Answer 8

If it's this bad
you need to see your Doctor and let him/her see about it.you could lose the tip of your ear if it gets any worse.

Answer 9

Um--call a Dr.

Answer 10

yes how hygiene was the place you had your ears peirced and whatsmore who did it? pop round to your doc