Infected piercing *warning photos*

[WishIWasSomewhereElse]

I've had pierced ears for 38 years. I had them re-pieced eight years ago, after I'd not them in a while, and it was difficult to get in.

I haven't worn earrings in about seven months, but decided to wear some new ones Christmas Day. They were difficult to get in, but managed and have used Boots Wound Wash on them twice a day (spray).

Yesterday my right ear started itching, but I thought nothing of it. I woke in the night with earache, but thought it was due to sleeping on that side.

This morning I noticed blood on my ear and the hole looked bigger, so assumed I'd caught it or scratched and ripped it.

I started using hot water soaks today, but it hasn't helped. I tried to take out the (silver) stud I was wearing to put in a titanium one, but the ear is too swollen.

It is hot, and I have earache inside my ear which is weird.

I know you are not supposed to take earrings out due to trapping the infection, but this hole was the re-opening of mine from years ago, and I can't stand it being in there. I also wonder if the piercer made a mistake as it seems to connect to a second piercing I had, so like two holes going into one inside.

I know you shouldn't use TCP, but I'm pretty scared and feel it would help (and is what was used when I first had them pierced. Salt water isn't helping at all, in fact it's got worse since I started.

You might be allergic to the metal. You really need to take out the earrings.

Thanks, I've taken it out, I did wonder that, though the other is fine, but yes, I might be. I'm just worried about the heat and swelling (the left one is white and small, the right swollen, red and hot).

If you put earrings in again make sure they're pure gold - almost nobody is allergic to gold.

Thanks, will let it settle, then look for some pure gold.

It's most likely some extreme irritation rather than an infection. You've caused trauma by stretching open the piercing & silver is not a material that should be worn long term and especially not in new piercings (which is effectively what you have as you'll have caused damage putting jewellery back in after so long). Lots of people can't wear silver successfully and even if you can it breaks down with body heat and can leach into your piercing.

I'd suggest cleaning with sterile saline twice daily and leaving well alone. If it doesn't improve antibiotics are the only thing that will help.

Next time visit a professional piercer and they can examine the piercings and if appropriate taper back open with jewellery in a suitable material (titanium or solid gold).

I'm sensitive to gold, most gold unless very high carat contains other metals which can cause allergies and sensitivity. Titanium is best, it's the only completely hypoallergenic metal, which is why many piercers will use only that.
Keep bathing your ear with saline solution.

@Bettina500

I'm sensitive to gold, most gold unless very high carat contains other metals which can cause allergies and sensitivity. Titanium is best, it's the only completely hypoallergenic metal, which is why many piercers will use only that. Keep bathing your ear with saline solution.

Most gold used by piercers is 14/18kt which is fine for piercers. If however your wearing traditional style butterfly backed earrings even if the front is solid gold the pins and backs can be mystery metals which is whats actually causing the irritation.

It's very rare for someone to be allergic to solid gold but yes titanium is fine to but there's much more to it than just the material. Polish, design, size etc. Can all have an impact.

@TheBodyPiercer Thank you. It was a piercer at a tattoo parlour who re-pierced my ears, so I assumed that as he used a needle it would be fine

I would go to the piercer, but we're in tier 4 so they are all closed.

I have some chamomile tea coming tomorrow, I vaguely remember being told that was helpful too?

Am I best to leave the earring out? I have some titanium earrings, but they have a much shorter post than the silver, and I couldn't get the front screwed on due to the swelling. I can't find the ones the piercer put in, but am loathe to use 9ct gold or silver (which is all I've got right now).

[quote WishIWasSomewhereElse]@TheBodyPiercer Thank you. It was a piercer at a tattoo parlour who re-pierced my ears, so I assumed that as he used a needle it would be fine

I would go to the piercer, but we're in tier 4 so they are all closed.

I have some chamomile tea coming tomorrow, I vaguely remember being told that was helpful too?[/quote]
The repiercing at the time shouldn't have any bearing on whats happening now as its 8 years later. If jewellery hasn't been worn for 7 months the piercing can shrink significantly and you can cause tears by putting jewellery back in.

Personally I'd stick with sterile saline, imagine it's a cut on your arm; you wouldn't be inclined to put a tea bag on it? Keep it clean and dry and without jewellery and it should settle quite quickly.

Once out of lockdown I would visit a reputable piercer and they can assess the angles and insert jewellery safely for you 😊

Thank you so much

Avoid any jewellery in your ears for a while now. Give your ears a rest and possibly use Savlon but only if the wound is dry.