Ear Piercing Question?

Question

I just got my cartilage pierced about a week ago but the problem is all of a sudden my ear is like swollen, I've been taking care of it putting rubbing alcohol on it and cleaning it but it's stinging, I don't want to take it out but is this normal or is it infected?

I know my question is posted in the pet section i had just asked a question about my kitten and it didn't change the slection over sorry and thanks for awswering my questions.

Thanks everyone for you help, I actually went t the doctors today because my ear beame swollen and i'm on antibiotics needless to say the piercing was taken out.

Answer 1

DON'T use anymore alchohol on it. It irritates the piercing, dries it up, and complicates the healing process!

Boil some water and add some pure sea salt to it. Let it cool then apply the mix on a Q-Tip to the front and back of your piercing morning and night. You will feel some stinging, swelling and redness because its so new, and helix (cartilage) piercings are very hard to please, and take a long time to heal. BUT if it starts to ooze puss, get extremely swollen or starts to 'puff' out on the sides of the piercing, thats not normal, and you should see your piercer, or a doctor.

Good luck! Just remember that a helix piercing is a lot more temperamental than a lot of piercings.

Answer 2

I've heard using alcohol (which it's normal that its stinging) or hydrogen peroxide dosn't help it heal, it infact dries it out causing the ear to heal slower. Wal-mart sell a solution for cleaning your ears after peircing. It's normally found in the jewlery dpt. I'd check it out, I've always used it and had no problems.

When you put the solution on your ear don't rub it on cuz this causes more irritatinon. A good thing to do is use the little tube thing you give babies medicine from so you can just squirt the solution on the ear. The swelling should go down in another week.

I wouldn't worry to much unless there is alot of redness and watch out for puss.

Answer 3

I had the same problem, both times i got each catrtilage pierced. it's actually very common and sometimes cannot be avoided. Try to clean it often and to cover it if you will be spraying hairspray or other hairstyling products because that will infect it easily. make sure to turn it often since if it becomes too infected the skin will grow over the back of it(been there done that)...pretty much everyone else said it...clean it often. Use the antibacterial stuff the ear piercer gave you its made for these kind of infections.

Answer 4

Piercing of ear cartilage can cause lots of problems including deformity of the ear in severe cases or if left untreated.

You would be wise to consult your doctor as you may need a course of antibiotics.

Answer 5

My daughter and I both got a cartilage pierce at the same time. Her's healed, mine did not and I finally had to take it out. Give it some time and keep putting disinfectant on it. My daughters took a long time to heal, about 6 months before she had no pain.

Answer 6

I am sure that it is infected, but not to worry...most all of them get infected at least once. Just keep cleaning it really good, and I would start cleaning it more often infact. It should clear up. (did you know that you question is in the pet section?)

Answer 7

Use an antibacterial soap and water and use sea salt soaks on it. You were to get after care directions from your piercer.

Did you get it done it a mall store? Cartilage piercings heal slowly and should only be done by professional piercers.

Answer 8

Try using Neosporin for a couple of days. If it is infected that should help. If it's not infected, no harm done using it.

Answer 9

I dont have an answer for your question, but just so you know you placed your question in the wrong category. you chose " pets > cat" if you want helpful answers its better for you to next time try and put it in the correct category

Answer 10

take it off. go back here did your pierced buy medicine for it. is infected.