How to treat infected ear piercing- Causes and Treatment

The infected ear piercing is painful and becomes problematic if not treated properly.

There are many chances that you might catch an infection due to ear piercing. Whenever having an ear-piercing, do not forget to follow all the instructions or remedies (ointments) given for the pierced ear. While getting the ear piercing, make sure the vendor uses sterile tools and maintains proper hygienic practices. There is no problem if you are getting your ear piercing and face minor pain and itching. The ear piercing through the cartilage (in the upper or lower) can cause more pain. There is less blood flow through that area. If it becomes red, itchy, or swollen then you require to treat an infected ear piercing through medical help.

The infected ear piercing is painful and becomes problematic if not treated properly. To treat an infected ear piercing, there are many home remedies and medical treatments. If there is suspicion of infection around the ear, clean it gently with mild water and antibacterial soap. Mix it with a saline water solution, and apply it to the infected area. The infected area doesn't heal up with oinements within three days. Also, when you feel feverish, then it's your clue to see the doctor.

With a new ear piercing, it is normal to feel itching, and irritation is quite normal. You require to keep that ear area clean to maintain hygiene and avoid infection. To stop the bacteria from becoming wounds so that infection is preventable. If the infection is mild and treatable at home then, over-counter medicines would work. In another case, with more pain, you should go for professional help. 

How can you get an ear piercing infection?

It could easily depend on the weather and how the piercing suits the ear. It is an open wound that could take six to seven weeks for the infected area to heal completely. By that time, be careful since the infected skin becomes sensitive and causes pain with the slightest touch of the skin. Any bacteria left uncleaned will turn into an infection. Any dirt near your ear, even a little bit dirty, or any tools can invite infection in the initial days. Ear piercing gets infected if the earrings are too heavy or handling is rough. One more reason can be swimming underwater when the ear piercing is still fresh or avoiding bathing by keeping the head inside the water, lake, or pool before piercings heal fully.
 

Symptoms of Infected Piercing

Within 1-2 days of getting your ear pierced, one might feel irritation and pain in the cartilage or earlobe area. The earlobe and cartilage area can turn red. However, many more symptoms are also there: 

1. Slight fever. In some cases, people may suffer from high fever as well (rare).
2. Sensitivity and tenderness in the ear are (cartilage/earlobe).
3. Swollen ear and extreme redness around the ear. 
4. Itching and burning
5. Yellow discharge from the ear
6. In severe painful cases or the procedure done wrong, you can even face bleeding from the cartilage or earlobe. 

When you should consult the doctor:

The fever/temperature doesn't come down. No improvement in infection through home remedies (in 2-days). When the pain in the cartilage and earlobe increases. Also, the yellow discharge causes pus around the ear piercing. You can also have allergic reactions through this. Sometimes, the swelling and redness can spread to the face part and neck that causing pain. These above-mentioned signs should be taken seriously and consult the doctor's help instantly. 

How to treat an infected ear piercing?

There are home remedies for a mild infection, and in excess painful cases, you can take the medicines prescribed to you. The procedures and treatment include:

1. Apply warm water compress to treat an infected ear piercing, whether in cartilage or earlobe.
2. Washing the wound with saline water.
3. Try applying the antibiotics ointments to the affected area.
4. Take oral antibiotics also in case the physical/ antibiotic ointments don't work.

One can also treat the ear piercing without closing it. Clean the area around cartilage or earlobe where there is piercing. Removing the earring, again and again, could be harmful. Try to rotate the earrings. If you keep the infection untreated, it can become more severe and cause pain in the whole inner part of the ear. There is attempting habit of rotating the earring without any reason and removing them frequently. It can also accelerate the infection. It has to stop to take good care of the ear.
 

Steps to follow while handling infection

1. Wash your hands properly while touching around the ear area.
2. Clean the piercing with salt water three times a day.
3. Prohibit using alcohol and hydrogen peroxide since they can cause irritation and slow down the healing process. 
4. Try not to open and close the piercing again and again. It can also cause the hole to broaden and cause more pain to the skin. 
5. Clean the earlobes on both sides and pat them with dry towels. 

After following these steps religiously, take care of your ear piercing even more cautiously. Continue this routine thoroughly for two weeks for maintaining the perfect practices routine and care would only bring changes since it is a slow process. It also depends on the weather condition. Some seasons like the rainy and winter might cause more pain to some people. 

How to prevent ear piercing infections?

Prevention will always be better than cure. Get your ears pierced by an experienced person with all hygiene facilities. It is the responsibility of the person to take good care of the ear after getting a piercing. There are many ways in which one can get infected. Though getting an ear piercing is a simple procedure. But it demands cleanliness and care for some time. Always promptly start the home remedies if you feel redness or simple pain also. Make sure to keep your phone clean. The dirt collected around the phone around stuck to the ear can cause irritation and pain in the ear. Take good care of your ear and apply mild creams to the pierced area to avoid the infection from developing.