First cartilage piercing

[PersephoneParlormaid]

Had my first cartilage piercing yesterday, and I’m just wondering what to expect. The flat back is sticking out at the back, but I can’t push the earring through. I’m assuming it’s swollen and eventually I will be able to push it through?
I caught the earring on a hairbrush and god did it hurt! That hurt far more than the piercing.
Am I going to be able to change the earring myself eventually? I’m bothered about it getting gunk around it as I’ve been told not to touch it, just spray with the stuff I was given.
Any tips very welcome!

I caught mine and it really swollen up for about 5 days. It has gone down. My piercer told me to gently wipe crispy bits and gunk with salt spray on a paper towel. Nothing cotton or the fibres can get wrapped around. You do leave it alone as much as possible ut you can't leave it for 6 months while it heals and let all the gunk build round it.

Stop touching it! Honestly you just need to leave it alone - it will swell and get crusties but the more you fiddle with it, the more likely it is to get infected and irritated.