Cleaning your tragus?

Question

I got my tragus pierced a month ago, and now its starting to get infected. i'm not sure but i think an abcess has grown on the inside and outer side of it.i've tried sea salt soaks [did the one thing not reccomended, and cleaned it with peroxide] i know its a bacterial infection cos the peroxide goes nuts when i put it on the infection. any other tips? im not yet willing to lose this piercing, i love it too much and paid too much for it. :D!

help a girl in pain?

Answer 1

A pierce tragus can take anywhere from a month to a year to heal completely. The reaction of the peroxide doesn't tell you anything about the cause of the infection- it's reacting with the blood cells and the bacteria in the area, as well as any virus. If you think there is an abscess growing inside the ear, you need to visit a doctor immediately. The bacteria causing it can rapidly spread to the cartilage of the rest of the ear, not to mention the face. A dermatologist may be able to save the piercing for you, then again he may not. But the infection needs to be gotten under control at any rate, as you stand to lose more than just the piercing if it gets away from you.
To encourage the infection to drain and heal, try applying hot moist washcloths directly to the area. Make sure your hands are very clean, as well as the cloth you use. Afterwards, clean the post with the peroxide, but otherwise don't meddle with anything. If the spot doesn't drain and begin healing on it's own in the next few days, I would really encourage you to remove the post and go see the doctor to get antibiotics. I'm sure you did pay quite a bit for the piercing, but that will be nothing compared to what reconstruction will cost to repair the ear if you don't take care of it. For pain, the only choices are Tylenol, aspirin, and Motrin. If it does decide to drain, the pain will go away pretty much at the same time.

Answer 2

I've had my tragus (actually, both) done for three months now, and they have been infected for two months. Doing sea salt soaks calms them down for a bit, but seriously, I've been using Witch Hazel Water. Sounds funny? It's natural, and it does'nt burn like the peroxide you've been using :) It' a natural disinfectant and you can get a small bottle at any pharmacy for a few bucks (depending on where you live, of course - i'm from Canada) Since I've started using this product, my piercings have definetly gotten better :) Good Luck!

Answer 3

A pierced tragus can take anywhere from two months to one year to fully heal. Like any other external piercing, it should be cleaned several times daily with a solution of warm water and non-iodized sea salt or a pre-mixed saline solution (like contact lens cleaner), and a mild antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Harsh sterilizers like hydrogen peroxide, iodine, betadine and rubbing alcohol should be avoided as they promote scarring. Many piercers instead recommend applying tea tree oil to the site with a cotton swab; doing so can also help treat and prevent keloids forming. Tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions; if this occurs use should be stopped.

Answer 4

Peroxide will go nuts in any opening of the skin--doesn't have to be an infection. But you're right. That was the worst thing you could use. It destroys new tissue growth and slows healing.

You should see your doctor.

Answer 5

Use Campho-Phenique on it for a week or so and it will heal right up and the infection will clear up quick. It is a little oily so maybe use and old pillow case on your pillow at night but I swear by this stuff and always have. Everyone I recommend it to loves it! Hope this helps! It can be picked up at any drug store or Walmart or Target!