Most comfy for tragus?

[helpyhelperton]

I currently have a 3 mth old tragus piercing that's healing well but is swelling up when I knock it (which is often, because I am clumsy).

I currently have a labret with largish jewel on the front. It's 10ml long and quite thick.

I'd like to replace it with a longer/flatter but smaller jewel. Can anyone recommend the best style/shape - should I go for hoop with no clasp, so it goes through easily?

Thank you!

I wouldn't get a hoop if it's still swelling, it'll move around and irritate it more and potentially get caught on stuff. I just have a small jewel in mine. Have you had the bar downsized since it was pierced?

I’ve got quite short ones in (double tragus) with a small jewel that screws on from the front, and a flat back.
Ive got a 3 mm jewel and the shortest and thinnest post available.
Ive also used a normal silver stud, then bent the back 90 degrees, like a nose stud, this worked really well.
i find my piercings will heal better with a traditional thin stud rather than a thicker piercing stud.

When I first had it pierced, it swelled up so much that the jewel embedded - I had to leave it for a few days to go down - then went back and had it repierced with a longer stem - hence the larger jewel.

I would like a thinner one - but have no idea what size this is? I keep thinking if I put a thinner one in, I'll never get another labret in - but I guess this is it true?

Ooh this is a good idea!

Normally they pierce with a longer bar to account for swelling and then you should get a shorter one in after the initial healing so it fits better and doesn't move around so much.
If you go back to the piercer they should help you with this. They should really have advised you about downsizing when you got it done.

I've just put in a helix piercing with no back in which has thinner stalk - already feels better - just nothing to stop it coming out because I can't screw the ball in because of the awkward position

You'll probably find you aren't knocking it as much with a better fitting bar as well

Yes, this didn't happen and I had to pay again for replacement piercing - they were lovely and slotted me in straight away but I didn't realise I could have had a longer one...

I can't put a snug fitting on becusee it keeps swelling. Plus to add to it - I have menopausal eczema in my ears and the salt water is making this worse - so I'm in vicious cycle.

Maybe with a thinner bar in - the swelling won't happen?

I don't think your piercer sounds very good to be honest. I've been to a few different piercers, some better than others, and they have always made it clear aftercare is part of the service. I'd expect to pay for a change of jewellery anyway though.
I think you should seek advice from piercer? Either your original or a different one, don't mess with it yourself or you could cause more problems.

I would go to a different piercer. Standard practice is to pierce with a longer bar to allow for swelling, then ask you to book in for a downsize after a few weeks when it’s gone down. If they didn’t do that it suggests they’re not very knowledgeable and I would also be worried about the quality of jewellery used. If you’re anywhere near Manchester I recommend a visit to Holier Than Thou who will be happy to offer advice. If that’s too far, have a look for an APP registered piercer.

Also, you shouldn’t be using salt water to clean it - again, if they advised you to, that’s a red flag. Get some neilmed sterile spray.