OK..I think this will be the most disgusting question I have ever asked, but it hurts Please answer?

Question

I had my cartilage pierced about 3 or 4 months ago...it as sore at first, but then it was fine.
Now, all of a sudden, it is swollen and if the slightest pressure is put on it it drips a greenish yellow discharge and then blood. The top lobe where it is pierced is swollen almost double in size than the nonpierced side. It hurts badly and is gross...I took the earring out and tried alcohol on it, all that did was burn ... it remains swollen, oozing and painful. Any ideas how to rid the infection?

I only wear 14k gold

Answer 1

Lake is right.
I've done my own piercings (and reopenings) in college (stomach and ear lobes). They repeatedly got infected when they were pulled on, hit, or jerked (as in boyfriend). I remember them being painful, bleeding, pus coming out, a little swollen, but not as big as yours. I think I just put a q-tip and soaked it, squeezed the pus until blood came out, put peroxide on the earrings and put the earrings in making sure that the infected areas were thoroughly saturated. I don't know if I had to take any out because of infection, but when I got pregnant, I stopped wearing them (especially the stomach one lol). I'm not sure about the hot water, I would think ice cold water would soothe your pain and numb you and hopefully bring some of the swelling down (and maybe you could alternate cold-warm-cold or if you take warm showers or baths just put soap on it to clean it while you are showering in warm water). Think about how cold it gets in operating rooms. They have got to do that for a reason. Plus heat has been known to dilate and make some headaches worse, what's it going to do to your ear? I have been told not to use heat when I am inflamed or it will make it more so. So ice or ice cold water can help it feel better and a little more numb. If you have ear cleaner from the piercing place you could try that too. What ingredients are in it? I would try to clean it repeatedly (every few hours for the first 24 hours-48 hours). Alcohol sounds too painful right now. And my microbiology study showed that regular hand washing with soap, scrubbing, and rinsing is more effective at getting rid of microorganisms than alcohol or alcohol-based products.

If you can't get the swelling to go down soon, please go to the doctor, pharmacist, or hospital if you have to (If you don't want to go to the doc then use a pharmacist first, maybe one who has had piercings or experience in that department who can tell you if you need a Dr. or not and actually see it in person and tell you if OTC topical antibiotics are ok or if you need something stronger).
Don't wait, especially if you are not getting any relief and most especially if it's getting worse. It could become septic. I've had doctors diagnose me with an infection (non ear related) that they said was becoming septic (getting into my bloodstream). They told me once it did, there was not much they could do for me. If you happen see any streaks, go see someone right away please! Better safe than sorry.
Also drinking Some water to flush out toxins (don't drink too much or too little- maybe just Slowly drink 1 extra glass than you normally do in a day) and maybe taking 1 or 2 OTC anti-inflamatory (NSAID) pills (as directed on the bottle) if you are allowed in the meanwhile might not be a bad idea. NSAIDs bring reduce prostaglandins thereby reducing inflammation and possible fever you may have, and it may help reduce some of the pain too..
If you are getting relief, it may take several days to clear up, provided it's not aggravated.

Answer 2

NEVER use alcohol on a piercing. It will dry out the surrounding skin and can cause an infection to get worse.

It does sound like you have a bad infection, and the only way to help heal it is to take the earring out. The hole will close up quickly, within a few days once it's out, but leaving it in will only cause your infection to worsen.

Try some Neosporin ointment (there's also one with a mild pain reliever in it), and try to see a doctor soon.

Answer 3

First I would put my hair in a ponytail, take out the earrings, and get a bowl of really hot water. Dip a washcloth in it and hold it on your ear. If you could stand it, I would take a bowl of very warm water (warmest you can stand) and just lay your ear into the water. You can use a small pillow to prop your neck. Do this for as long as you can. Then pat dry with a clean towel and use some Neosporin on it. If it isn't better in a day or two, then I would go see a doctor. You may need a prescription antibiotic.

Answer 4

Make an appointment with your physician. It appears that you have an infection that may need to be treated with antibiotics.
You can also use peroxide on the site to help drain the wound and help dry it up. Once healed if you choose to re-pierce the site, it would be best to use titanium or 14 carat gold jewelry. Many people have allergies and reactions to cheaper materials in some jewelry.

Answer 5

2 of my friends did that and it ended up being so swollen that they had to let it grow back in. the reason this happens, is because the cartilage is not a piece of flesh. its cartilage. therefore, it is infected 10 times more easily...meaning you need to be more careful with cleaning and watching which type of alcohol you use. what you may have to do, is go back to the piercer and ask...OR just regrow it and repierce it. by repiercing it, you may get better effects.

Answer 6

i have 3 earrings at the top and the normal ear piering too. alchol or peroxide may burn but keep using it if it doesnt get better soon, go to the place you got it pierced or a doctor. my top piercings get infected and i put alchol on them and later it got better. if it gets beter, putalchol on the piercing even when nothings worng with it, dont be like me and wait til you have a problem with it, then do something about it.

Answer 7

i have had 11 piercings and i have always used dial anitbacterial soaps to clean them.it might burn but it will help if theres an infection.clean it really well,clean the earing really well, then put it back in and put soap on the earing and spin it.of course u will rinse when finished.doing this for a few days should help the infection.

Answer 8

Use triple antibiotic ointment on it. Stick your earring in the ointment and push through the hole to get the ointment inside of the piercing. Use this stuff every time it starts to get sore and you wont get an infection.

Answer 9

You don't want to end up in the hospital on an IV drip bc it infected your entire blood system, right?

Get it checked by a Dr. immediately.

Answer 10

I HAVE ALOT OF PIERCINGS AND ON THE CARTLIDGE, THIS IS NORMAL AFTER 2 OR 3 MONTHS (I GOT IT ALL 3 TIMES). BUT DONT WASH IT WITH ALCOHOL, YOU NEED TO EITHER CLEAN IT WITH JUST MILD SOPA AND WATER OF PIERCING SOLUTION. IF YOU USE ALCOHOL IT TAKES LONGER FOR THE SKIN SURROUNDING THE PIERCING TO HEAL, AND WILL REMAIN OPEN AND GOOEY. MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM IT ALSO, UNLESS WHEN WASHING. IF IT DOESENT GO AWAY IN A WEEK AND HALF THAN YOU MIGHT NEED FURTHER ANTIBIOTICS FROM A DOCTER. BUT ITS NORMAL AND WILL HEAL ON ITS OWN WITH PROPER CLEANING AND NOT TOUCHING. GOOD LUCK!!!