How to Treat an Infected Ear Piercing?

September 2, 2024

Ear piercing is a common cause of infection among people but in most cases, it happens if you fail to take proper care. These Infections can however be an issue and it is important to know the best ways to treat them to prevent complications to your body and allow proper healing of the piercing.

Main Causes of Ear Piercing Infection

The following are some of the causes of ear-piercing infections :

1. Bacteria and Germs

The infection can also be caused by the presence of bacteria in the ear-piercing site. This is the most frequent reason for infection and may occur due to three reasons - when the hands that came in contact with the piercing are not clean when the jewellery used is not clean, and when the piercing comes into contact with anything unclean like an untidy cloth.

2. Improper Piercing Care

Failure to adhere to the aftercare instructions can result in infections. This comprises poor hygiene where the wound is not cleaned frequently, wrong choice of cleaning agents to use, or early removal of earrings that bring in bacteria into the area.

3. Allergic Reactions

Some individuals are sensitive to some metals and develop skin rash in areas exposed to such metals, for example, nickel, which might cause the jewellery to look red and infected. You have to select jewellery that does not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions to the skin, by going for hypoallergenic jewellery.

Signs That Show That the Ear Piercing is Infected

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Detecting early signs of an infected piercing is the first step toward the treatment of the infected piercings.

Redness and Swelling: While healing, a newly pierced ear will be red and swollen; however, if redness and swelling are severe or get worse, they are signs of an infection.
Pain and Tenderness: It is quite okay to feel some level of pain, but severe pain, throbbing, or sensitivity around the tweezer area may be an indication of an infection.
Heat: Infected piercings normally swell and may even be hot to the touch as this indicates that the area is inflamed.
Fever: However, in some more serious cases you may notice high-grade fever as a sign of infection.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If the symptoms are severe and include sharp pain and high temperatures, and if the infection does not improve after the use of home remedies then one should go see a doctor.

List of Home Remedies

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Most ear-piercing infections can easily be managed from the comfort of your home by following natural remedies.

1. Warm Saltwater Soaks

After the first application, with the help of saline, the inflamed piercing should be rinsed in salted warm water. It may help to drain the infection. To do this you can dissolve ¼ teaspoon of non-iodised sea salt with one cup of warm water and soak the affected area for 5-10 minutes two times a day.

2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

The use of emollient creams, cleaning of the infected area, and pain and anti-inflammatory agents such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol may be helpful if the infection is painful.

3. Avoiding Irritants

Do not touch the piercing with unwashed hands and be careful not to have the hair, clothes, or any other material irritating the infected area to come into contact with it. This will help reduce further irritation to the piercing site and thus enhance healing of the pierced area.

4. Importance of Clean Hands

It is recommended always to wash hands before having contact with the ring or applying any treatment on it. This minimises how other microorganisms may enter the site thus reducing the chances of infection.

In case of infection, medical treatment for Ear Piercing Infections may be recommended.

Medical Treatment for Ear Piercing Infections

If your symptoms are not relieved within three to four days or they aggravate, you should seek professional medical help. It will also help to determine the extent of this infection and suggest which treatment would be suitable in this case.

Types of Medical Treatments

Antibiotics: If the infection is bacterial your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to enhance the healing process.
Antibiotic Ointments: For minor ones, there are over-the-counter antibiotics, which may be suggested to be put on the piercing.
Drainage: Sometimes, if the infection has resulted in the formation of an abscess, then your doctor may be required to surgically remove this abscess to help relieve the swelling and suction out the pus.

Preventing Ear Piercing Infections

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Knowing how to stop an ear-piercing infection from developing is much easier than having to contend with a raging infection later on. Below are guidelines on how to take care of your piercing:

1. Piercing Aftercare Tips

It’s crucial to heed the instructions of your piercer concerning antibacterial and antimicrobial treatments, washing the piercing using salt water, and not removing the earrings for a set amount of time.

2. Choosing a Reputable Piercer

Last but not least, the piercer, you should only get pierced by a professional who uses sterile instruments and scrupulously maintains cleanliness. A clean working environment and the use of appropriate techniques will eliminate the chances of getting infected.

3. Allergy Considerations

Choose non-allergic ornaments, especially if you are experiencing skin itching or are allergic to metals. Alloys of surgical steel, titanium, or 14k gold are some of the familiar safe choices that can be used.

Choose GIVA’s High-quality Gold & Silver Earrings to Avoid Infections

Ear piercing infection is painful but if you take good care of your ears, it is going to be fine. In addition, you must wear the best quality earrings designed by GIVA that are safe and avoid causing infection. We make sure that our experts use the best techniques and materials to design earrings that are safe to wear and are not the reason for any infection.

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