Table of Contents
- 1 What do I do if my piercing is infected and I took it out?
- 2 When should I be worried about an infected piercing?
- 3 What to clean an infected ear piercing with?
- 4 Can an infected piercing heal on its own?
- 5 How do you take care of a newly pierced ear?
- 6 How long does it take for a piercing to get infected?
What do I do if my piercing is infected and I took it out?
How are infected ear piercings treated?
- Applying a warm compress to the infected earlobe or cartilage.
- Rinsing the infected earlobe with sterile saline.
- Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area.
- Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections.
When should I be worried about an infected piercing?
Call your doctor if you experience any of these infection symptoms: Fever. Red, swollen skin around the pierced area. Pain when touching the pierced area.
Should I go to the ER for an infected piercing?
If you get an infection that’s spreading up beyond just the site of the piercing, where the full ear appears red and swollen or just even the lower half of it, then I would be a lot more concerned about an infection in the cartilage itself, and that would definitely be a reason to go to the ER.
What happens if you take jewelry out of an infected piercing?
If you suspect an infection, you should not remove the jewelry. Removing the jewelry will often cause the piercing site to close up, making it impossible to reinsert jewelry at that site. If treated promptly, most infections will clear up quickly.
What to clean an infected ear piercing with?
Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
Can an infected piercing heal on its own?
Minor pierced ear infections can be treated at home. With proper care, most will clear up in 1 to 2 weeks.
Is it safe to get your ears pierced with an infection?
Getting your ears pierced is usually a simple, safe procedure. But a new piercing is an open wound that requires care and good hygiene. If you get a mild infection, you may be able to treat it with over-the-counter products. For more serious infections you may need help from a healthcare provider. What is an infected ear piercing?
What should I do if my cartilage piercing is infected?
If you’ve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected, seek medical treatment. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Significant infections of the cartilage can require hospitalization. Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection:
How do you take care of a newly pierced ear?
You should: 1 Leave your earrings in day and night until the piercings fully heal. 2 Wash your hands before touching your earlobes or cartilage. 3 Wash the piercing twice daily with a mild soap or cleanser. 4 Apply rubbing alcohol and/or antibiotic ointment to the area twice daily.
How long does it take for a piercing to get infected?
Consider the age of the piercing. Discomfort you feel the day you get pierced probably isn’t infection; it generally takes a day or more for signs of infection to develop. It’s also unlikely that you will develop an infection in a piercing you have had for a long time and is already healed.