Cartilage piercing infection

[ENoeuf]

So I had my tragus done a couple of weeks ago and recently it's been red, swollen and sore. Used boiled salted water and kitchen towel and removed green gunk. No active discharge from it I can see. Sore part on my neck if I press it.
From all the awareness I have, you shouldn't remove a piercing if infected. I sent photos to the GP who have texted to say remove and they will prescribe cream.
I'm really reluctant to do this - I think it's more likely to trap an infection as it heals over from all the online advice.
Is it worth going back to the piercer?

Yes, always go back to the piercer unless you think they were poor at the job in which case see a better one for help.

Never had any issues with this one, I'm just reluctant to take it out as I think GP default to 'take it out' whereas the advice seems against this. They haven't seen to just a couple of photos.
I know you shouldn't seek advice if you won't follow it, I'm just wary of making things worse. I can't imagine what cream they are prescribing?

Removing the earring won't "trap" the infection, it will allow the area to heal. You will lose the hole though.

I may have misunderstood, the stuff I looked at said not to remove it unless told my a doctor - I'm just a bit concerned that without seeing it I might do more damage by taking it out? I think it's pretty standard for GPS to tell you to remove them?

. In the case of an infected piercing, doctors will often request for the jewellery to be removed and the piercing to be left to heal. It is very important for the piercee to discuss with the physician that the jewellery should remain in place to act as a drain. If the jewellery is removed, the openings of the piercing will close up and the infection will not be able to drain, which can result in an abscess.

https://www.bodyjewelleryshop.com/aboutBJS/faq/piercingg_infected.cfm

This is what I keep reading ^^

My dd had a piercing infection and I insisted to doctors that it should stay in so they infection can drain.
They insisted on it being removed.
They don't prescribe antibiotics anymore either, as they say it's more of a reaction to the piercing than an infection. If the piercing is removed then the reaction stops.

I've had infected piercings before and they only healed by taking the earrings out. Your overthinking this.

You have been told by a doctor, your doctor has seen it, they've seen photos. I really think you should trust the advice from your gp over stuff you've read online.

It might hurt to remove it if it's got stuck/encrusted, but warm sterile salt water will help to loosen it the debris.

You can then keep it clean and treat the infection as with the prescribed cream, it'll probably start feeling a lot better by the evening.

Your overthinking this.

I have ocd so you are probably correct. It's also tricky when the advice is so different, makes it harder to be comfortable with it? In my head i take it out and cause a massive infection.

@avocadodi did she take it out in the end?

I don't think this will happen.

Regardless of whether you take it out or not, if the infection gets worse you're going to have to go back to the gp who will treat it successfully.

(Also the first thing they'll do is take it out if it's still there).

Apologies for your/you're typo before- autocorrect think it knows better

You're caught in a fear cycle about this, just follow medical advice and I'm certain it will be much better by the morning. If it's worse then you can go to gp who will treat it with a stronger prescription.

Thank you, it's really hard to stop worrying and 'do' something sometimes.

I get it, I don't have ocd but struggle with anxiety and it can be really paralysing. You'll be OK, op.

Piercer says not to remove, face is pink down one side, nurse says to try cream.

I had a tragus piercing that got infected after I'd had it a few weeks, went back to the piercer who refused to take it out stating the 'infection will be trapped' it became unbearable so went to A&E 2 days later who had to cut it out and stitch my ear back up, then was in hospital for 5 days on IV antibiotics.

Yep I'd definitely be taking it out in your shoes.

You can always get it repierced.

Get yourself some saline solution for contact lenses and wash it three times a day. That stuff is far better than home-mixed salty water. Then spray it with wound spray. It’ll start to feel better in a day or two.

If your face is showing evidence of infection spreading u need to get antibiotics.
Tragus is a tricky one to heal though. Mine took a year to completely settle.
Recommend this spray for healing, obvs not with an infection but it really sorts out cartilage piercings.

Bloody hell @peanutpancakess
I went to the piercer and explained they cleaned it and changed for a longer bar (I wanted to check with them Pink on my face. Went to GP reception and was told it was fine looking and not to remove by nurse. Cream is antibiotic for nose.
On hold to 111 I just want someone to actually look at it. I'm not taking it out or touching it myself. Have put cream on for now.

(Wasn't an appointment , nurse just had a quick look through glass counter).

Post a pic, I'm a nurse & also have plenty piercings.

You've had it looked at by two people - do you really need to see someone else?

Well I've had different opinions so yes?

@FannyFifer thank you that's kind. Im too embarrassed to post and don't want to be recognised. I know it's probably not a big deal to anyone else to deal with but it's really hard when I have kids and plans and the advice is conflicting. 111 were like a pp 'so you want a third opinion' and I can see out of hours tonight.
I have asd so probably am crap at communicating any of this.

Both the piercer and the nurse said to leave it in. What is a third person going to say?

Have you been given cream to use on your ear?

Yes it's an antibiotic cream? The nurse wasn't an appointment so just over the reception - I was asking about where to go as they were shut.