"Ear piercing" refers to the process of making holes in the earlobe or other parts of the ear. People like to do ear piercing on the earlobe, helix, cartilage, or other areas of the ear. But be careful that the more ear piercings you have, the higher the risk. Special care is needed if the piercing is done in sensitive areas like cartilage.
Symptoms
Newly pierced and unhealed ear piercings can often experience the following:
- Infection: Poor hygiene during the piercing process or using uncleaned equipment can lead to infections. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain, discharge, or pus.
- Allergic reactions: Some individuals may be allergic to the materials used during the piercing, such as certain metals.
- Discomfort and pain: Newly pierced ears or changing earrings may cause discomfort or pain initially.
- Rejection: Occasionally, the body may reject earrings, leading to scarring or keloids around the piercing site.
- Non-healing: Improper care of the piercing or frequent changing of earrings can hinder the healing process. Even the risk of re-injury to healed ear piercings is possible.
To avoid these issues, it's crucial to have ear piercings done by professionals in a clean environment . After ear piercing, you should follow proper aftercare instructions provided by a healthcare provider or piercer. If you experience mild symptoms like pain or infection, the following methods will help alleviate your discomfort.
Management and Treatment
Prevention
- To prevent bacteria, always wash your hands well before touching your piercings.
- During the first week after getting your ears pierced, it's best to avoid spicy foods and alcohol.
- Avoid swimming in ponds or public pools before your ear piercings have fully healed, as water bacteria can infect the wound.
- Be careful not to snag your earrings when putting on or taking off clothes, especially if you have long hair. Snagging can interfere with the healing of the piercing.
- Avoid using alcohol for disinfection as it can be very irritating and cause pain to the wound. You can use alcohol-free disinfectant or saline solution, or you can also use iodine.
- Using a clean cotton swab or pad, gently apply the saline solution to both sides of the newly created piercing. Perform this at least twice a day, particularly following a workout or shower.
- Some people suggest rotating earrings to prevent them from sticking to the piercing. However, many now advise against it as it can hinder proper healing of the wound. With modern earring materials, tissue does not stick to the earring's material, so there's no need to rotate them.
- After cleaning, use a fresh, disposable paper product to gently pat the area dry. You can also choose to air dry naturally. Cloth towels can snag on jewelry and contain bacteria.
- Keep an eye out for symptoms of infection, such as pain, redness, swelling, discharge, or an unpleasant smell. See a medical expert right away if you think you may have an infection.
Medication
Neilmed Piercing Aftercare Fine Mist
You can spray Neildmed saline spray on a clean cotton swab or cotton pad and gently wiped around the ear piercing. It's a very gentle cleansing spray. In addition to the spray, there are also wipe versions available, which are convenient for carrying.
Neosporin Pain Relief Cream
You can alleviate discomfort by applying this ointment if you experience inflammation, redness, or pain. You can find it at drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, or online. Typically, symptoms of inflammation will improve within two to three days.
Polysporin Antibiotic Ointment
This ointment is essential for home use. It comes in several colors, with the regular one being sufficient for general use. For more severe inflammation, we recommend using the black one. There are also several options with antibiotics, so it's best to consult a doctor first.
Other Things to Consider
Besides prevention and treatment, there are other ways to reduce discomfort with ear piercings.
Choose the right piercing method
Ear Piercing by Hand:
This involves manually piercing with a fine needle, which relies on the skill, technique, and speed of the piercer. The ear piercing done by a skilled piercer results in a smaller wound size, making it easier to recover compared to gun piercing.
If you can find a trusted hand piercer nearby, it's recommended to opt for hand piercing. Generally, tattoo shops have skilled piercers as well. If you can't find a hand piercing studio by searching "ear piercing," you can try piercing services at a tattoo parlor.
Ear Piercing by Gun:
This method uses a stainless steel gun that employs spring force to quickly pierce the earlobe. Using a piercing gun can sometimes result in uneven piercings, causing the ear piercing channel to be crooked. Since the wound is larger than with hand piercing, it's harder to recover and can lead to infections. Additionally, since gun piercing is relatively easy, the person using the gun may not be as experienced.
Choose hypoallergenic earrings
Recommended materials: sterling silver, pure gold, platinum, medical-grade titanium. Click here for more information of earring material.
Since the ear piercing is relatively new, avoid wearing earrings with overly intricate designs. Studs are the most suitable option for individuals who have recently had their ears pierced, given their small size and light weight. Avoid wearing earrings with fish hook designs, as they hinder the healing process. And dangle or drop earrings may get caught in clothing, especially if you have long hair.
Lux Jewels sells many pretty earrings made from hypoallergenic materials like 925 sterling silver, gold-plated, or silver-plated. They are high quality and easy to mix and match with your daily clothes. Click here to check out the latest styles on Lux Jewels!
