Many people who have new ear piercings end up with an infection. This can be caused by not properly caring for ears or by playing with the earring when hands are not clean. Whatever the case may be, there are ways to treat an infected pierced ear without having to remove the earring and start all over again. Follow these steps to get back on track within a week or so.
Dos for Treating an Infected Ear Piercing
Soak the infected ear daily in a sea salt or Epsom salt solution. Never use table salt, as it contains iodine which can be harmful to an infected area. This is a simple process that can be done in the comfort of your home.
Treatment #1
- Mix 1/8 teaspoon of your chosen salt in warm water. You can use tap water, but distilled water is even better.
- Put the mixture into a small container and hold it to your ear, soaking for five minutes. Let the ear air dry.
- Another option is to use a cotton ball. Leave it on the ear until the water has cooled. Applying pressure with a cotton ball while cleaning can also aid in the release of any puss or liquid inside.
- Complete this process at least twice a day, but no more than four times.
Never use this treatment more than recommended, or use more salt than specified. Performing this treatment more than recommended can actually lead to a worse infection, as infections tend to grow in a wet environment. Increasing the salt can actually make the situation much worse, resulting in burning and further irritation.
Keep a close watch on the infected area. If the area gets worse with the use of this treatment, consult a doctor. In the same way that an infection inside your body can be serious, an infection of the ear can be, too. Never put it off.
Treatment #2
An antibiotic or prescription cream may be necessary, if there is no improvement in the condition within three to four days. The ear may not completely heal in this time, but there should be a reduction in puss and drainage. If the ear continues to get redder or a fever develops, consult with a doctor immediately.
Don'ts for Treating an Infected Ear Piercing
Do not play with the infected ear. Many people have a tendency to touch or twirl their earring when it is irritating or infected. When touching the ear in this manner, one should have clean hands that have been washed with antibacterial soap or use an alcohol solution. This will prevent more germs getting into the area.
Do not remove the earring from the infected ear. The reason for this is that the hole could begin to close up and trap the infection inside the ear. It is best to have an open avenue to get medications and cleaners to the infected area.
Do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean the infected ear. These are both harsh chemicals that can break down the surrounding tissue of your ear. They may also cause a slight chemical burn and lead to further irritation.
In most cases, an infection will pass quickly. To this end, drastic measures will not be required. Remember that once the infection has gone away, it still needs continued cleaning until six weeks after the piercing. Hopefully, this advice will help you enjoy pierced ears for a long time to come.
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