Helix piercing - infected or not?

[Becs86]

Hi all,

I had a helix piercing done just over 3 weeks ago. I’ve been diligent with saline solution twice a day but it now looks like this..
Hot and some yellow discharge and even slight blood streaks.
It’s been red and warm on and off since I’ve had it but the circle around the back of the piercing is starting to worry me slightly (unless this is normal?!) the front looks fine and I feel fine (no fever!)
What do people think? Should I go to the doctor or just wait it out? I really don’t want to be told to remove it (unless it turned really serious of course!)

Is the bar long enough to accommodate swelling? It does look pretty nasty, helix are a nightmare to heal but it shouldn’t be hot or oozing pus. I’d go back to your piercer and see what they recommend. You maybe got hair products etc in it which has upset it.

It looks and sounds infected to me. Can you go back to their piercer for advice? I didn't think they recommended you take them out if they're infected because the infection gets trapped inside?

Might need a longer bar to accommodate swelling. I'd go back to the piercer for advice

Thanks for replying! Yes, the bar is quite long.. when the swelling has gone down (not often) the bar sticks out and is pretty annoying tbh!

I’m not convinced it’s infected from that picture but it’s hard to tell. That looks like accumulated lymph and dry skin - can you remove it with a cotton bud? If it’s pus that’s a concern for infection - yellow / green thick fluid that may smell. If it’s clear / watery / pale pink / pale yellow (but clear) then it’s lymph fluid.

never remove a piercing that you think may be infected.

is it implant grade titanium? If not it could be an allergy.

contact your piercer for advice.

Thanks!! It doesn’t budge with a cotton bud (and is particularly sore when touched with one!) it is implant grade titanium yes

My piercings still get troublesome from time to time and I find this amazing. It always clears up infections. Just spray it on front and back:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prontolind-Spray-75ml-antibacterial-modifications/dp/B004Q8S7WU/ref=mpssa113?crid=32O358V9LYFUM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gYapSJUejld5zHEAgD3TlRDYcrFu3SMPea-hQGFFmMQz2mkY2JJSRWJKi2lGNiGc6-ofcj7o1Ids2c3n5OFtVO30S4cedycyRfx3HL34QgUNom9DhWcqIqbyh6xkMNDvXo9xaHWZPnT7Z22hnNInKymEIW-OWBeQ3WRs00D2xB3bcfw956PoyYKgjjhuziunEEqnXXZSZnXPtqTih9g.YJf9C0hArpa8P9r-CkzNpCHyCUxDMR14fZdiy5V8jFk&dibtag=se&keywords=ear+piercing+spray&qid=1725128518&sprefix=ear+piercing+spray%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-3

All my kids had their helix pierced and yes, it does look infected but I've seen worse! Keep your hair away from the piercing and get the saline solution used for contacts cleaning...comes in a huge bottle. Head over sink and literally flood the area several times a day. You'll need someone to do this for you.

Just ordered!!! Thank you

DO NOT USE CONTACT LENS SOLUTION.

The only thing you should be using is neilmed piercing solution.

I use Nailmed spray religiously on new piercings. Also sleep on a travel pillow (with ear in the hole) to avoid putting pressure on it.

Thanks all!! Just to say I bought the Prontolind spray and have been using this instead of NeilMed and it’s really helped clear it up!