How to treat an infected ear piercing?

It's hard to find someone without ear piercings these days. Piercing is now more common than ever before. But ear piercing also comes with a list of care instructions.

If you want your piercing to last a lifetime, it's important to keep the area clean and free of infection. And while having your ears pierced by a professional can help reduce the risk of infection and complications, it doesn't guarantee they won't get infected.

After you leave the piercing salon, you should do the necessary work at home to help the area heal and avoid infection. Unfortunately, many people who get their ears quickly pierced with a piercing gun have learned the hard way that not having a professional piercer (with a needle) that doesn't do the job right the first time can lead to a lot of pain and frustration later on. .

Think it can't happen to you? Think again. One quick Google search and you'll find countless horror stories filled with endless streams of people complaining about infections.

How do I know if my ear piercing is infected?

Ear piercing symptoms are usually obvious, irritable, or painful. Pay special attention to the following signs of infection:

• redness
• Tenderness
• swelling
• Hot to the touch
• Leakage or seepage of fluid or pus
• Fever
• It hurts to touch

If you experience any of the above, you most likely have an infection. But don't worry just yet. Read on to find out more.

If you recently got your ears pierced and after a while you start noticing that something doesn't look or feel right, you most likely have an infection.

What happens to an infected ear piercing?

In short, any puncture wound on your skin leaves you susceptible to infiltration by bacteria or other harmful contaminants before that wound heals on its own.

How can I treat an ear piercing infection?

If there is no fever, the infection seems mild, and there is very little pain, it will be much easier to treat the infection at home with simple over-the-counter washes. This statement pretty much applies to most ear piercings.

To begin, wash both hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. This ensures that no other germs or bacteria enter the already infected piercing.

Then prepare a warm salt water solution to apply directly to the infected area. This can be done by taking a quarter teaspoon of sea salt and mixing it with one cup of boiling water. Let the solution cool down a bit.

While the water is still warm, use your fingers and a sterile cotton or gauze pad to apply salt water to the front and back of the puncture site. After you've finished cleaning the area, use a clean, dry paper towel to dry your earlobes.

Try not to reach for a towel or facial tissue, as these can harbor germs and bacteria, especially if they don't come directly from the dryer.

Be sure to clean the infected area twice a day with a sea salt solution and keep the cleanings as far apart as possible. A good rule of thumb is to cleanse the area once in the morning and once in the evening.

How can I prevent an ear infection after a piercing?

Preventing an ear infection after you've just pierced your ears is pretty simple. First of all, always follow the care instructions given to you by your piercer. Washing your hands regularly is also one of the best ways to prevent future infections.

Also, be careful not to damage the puncture site, because broken skin becomes a convenient place for bacteria to enter and start an infection.

And most importantly, always, always, always look for a reliable master who will pierce you. Look for someone with experience who maintains high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, runs an immaculate store, and follows the best safety standards. Don't be afraid to ask to see their tools. Sterile instruments will be packed in special sterilization bags and passed through a special sterilization machine called an autoclave.

Finally, make sure you are using a type of metal that does not cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is useful to know which metals you are allergic to and which ones you are not allergic to.

In or around Newmarket, Ontario and ready to take the next step?

So, before you run out to get your ears pierced, do your research and find a highly skilled tinker like the Pierced team. Then make sure you follow the care instructions letter by letter. If you take the time to keep the area clean, your new piercing won't get infected.