Cartilage piercing care?

Question

Hi,
I had my cartilage pierced about a year and a half ago, and it is still healing! I have no swelling and there is occasional soreness while mostly, just discarging some clear (sometimes bloody) liquid. I have been using the proper aftercare antiseptic cleanser well beyond the estimated healing time, but now have heard that applying antiseptic cleansers may actually hinder the healing process.

My question is, should i continue to use the cleanser, and if not, how to keep the piercing clean?

Answer 1

Best thing I found for my cartilage piercing is sea salt soaks. Whenever it starts feeling irritated I do that and it feels so much better afterwords. What you do is take a cup of warm water (as warm as u can handle without it being too hot) and put in a teaspoon of sea salt and hold it up to your ear (u may have to tip your head to the side to do this) and let it soak for 5-15 min. This helps remove any bacteria in your ear and also promotes healing and blood flow. You should do these soaks about 2 times a day to keep it clean. Afterwards make sure to rinse off your ear real good so no salt is left on it.

Instead of antiseptic I recommend antibacterial soap/Provon for when your ear just needs some cleaning when it doesnt feel irritable. These are the best for you. For the best cleaning do the soaks and then wash your ear with this soap. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I have a cartilage piercing as well, and although it's already healed, I have another piercing in my lobe (4 on each ear) and one of the 4 won't stay open. It's been about a half a year. I suggest to stop the antiseptic if you think it's what's causing your ear to heal, and just take the earrings out when you take a bath or shower. They won't close up in a matter of minutes, so that way you can keep them clean without using the antiseptic.

Answer 3

Use antibacterial soap to clean it, Dial works good. At this point it should not need a rinse, but if it is draining and you want to dry it up - rinse it with seasalt solution. You can get it premixed at a tattoo parlor.

Answer 4

Try Bactine. Also, is the jewelry you are using stainless steel and/or nickle free? If I wear jewelry with any nickle in it, the piercing weeps clear liquid constantly.