Infected ear piercing

[lilachair]

Just after some advice.

8yo DD had her ears pierced back in September, she was good as gold with having the cleaned etc, and a was well.

She has come out of school with one ear lobe red, swollen and pus drippy.

Took the earring out, and there was a hair wrapped round it, sterilized the earring and back, salt water rinsed her ear, and she has insisted the earring goes back in. But I am not convinced. Should I keep the earring out? Does she need antibiotics?

Gah. (And no, I did not take her to get her ears pierced, her dad did...)

Thank you vipers.

[TeaBrick]

I would also keep the earring in and see how it goes. Advise her not to sleep on that side too for now.

[lilachair]

Thank you, I'll do the bathing keep a close eye. Triage nurse if it gets worse though?

Earrings are the original ones they were pierced with, she is terrified of the hoes closing up so has only had them out once or twice. Don't know if the hair was the cause, but it was certainly wrapped tight round the post and covered in goo

[starfishmummy]

THe earring itself could be making things worse if it is not gold. (AMHIK)

[dikkertjedap]

The ears can take almost 1 year to fully heal after piercing, so it is very well possible that the hair has caused this.

At this stage the holes can still close even if an earring is left out for just one night, so I would try to keep them in.

We were given disinfecting fluid when dd had her ears pierced, if you have any I would use that as salt water is clearly very good at disinfecting, but maybe a little harsh if you need to do it frequently. Maybe give your GP/NHS direct a call to ask what is best to use?

[RockinD]

Hydrogen peroxide straight from the bottle will fix this. Buy OTC from your chemist.

Three times a day.

I had an infected ear piercing back in the summer (42 years after they were originally done) - worked like a charm.

It'll get in the hole and attack the anaerobic bacteria in there.

[AuntieMaggie]

Yes to advice above but don't take the earring out unless advised by a doctor - you don't want it closing over and trapping the infection.

[FraterculaArctica]

This happened to me in the few months after having my ears pierced (as an adult). I would go back to using the sleepers if she's wearing 'proper' earrings (because the wires or other bar on 'proper' earrings are usually much narrower than sleepers, it will be easier for the hole to close up again) and swab the whole area & sleeper down regularly (2x per day?) with surgical spirit.

At least this is what I did, and it worked for me after a few gunky weeks - but am not a doctor!

[Daysies]

If you can get to the supermarket, try and find the Carex antibacterial handwash. It used to come in a pale blue pump bottle. Have used this with much success for keeping piercings clean.

Metal allergies usually present themselves fairly quickly after piercing, so I expect she has managed to knock it somehow. Most jewelers on the high street like H Samuel or the other one should be able to sell you a pair of solid gold studs that are the same stem size as piercing studs though, if they still won't heal up it could be an option.

[lilachair]

Thank you all, after a couple of days it has gone down, earring left in.

All advice was much appreciated, and she is very glad she has kept her earrings