Sore ear piercing

[saucony]

I've had my ears pierced for 20 odd years, so no idea why one is so sore. It looks a bit red, not pussy. It feels like there's a lump and I'm needing to push an earring quite hard to get through. I'm a bit worried it will close up if I don't attempt to keep it open. I am wearing decent quality studs.

I've tried salt water and savlon but it's not getting any better. It doesn't look infected. Any tips please?

It sounds like you might have a bit of scar tissue under the skin. It sometimes happens even years after the piercing as the stuff (not sure what it's called!) under the skin moves about. Sometimes it can get a bit infected and because it is inside your lobe, it's hard to treat. Try soaking a couple of cotton balls in Dettol or salt water and holding them either side of the hole for a couple of minutes.

One of the piercings in my ear developed one a few years back. I eventually went away by itself but if you're worried, or it really starts to hurt, pop and see your doctor just in case :)