I got my helix pierced in December last year. I changed the stud a couple of months ago because I kept catching the original one and I had a bump on both sides of my ear. The one I changed it to was much better as it sat flush to the front and back of the piercing and the bumps eventually went. Never had an issue with my helix since then, no bumps, no pain. I could even sleep on it without a problem. On Wednesday, I decided to change it to a hoop. It was the same gauge as my previous earrings and was surgical steel so not something that would irritate my piercing. But it started becoming sore again and a bump much larger than I’ve had previously started developing on the back so this morning I took the hoop out so I could put my stud back in but it won’t go all the way through.
I can get my stud in my ear and it almost comes out the back but I think the bump/swelling from many failed attempts at taking out my hoop has closed over the hole a bit. I tried using a normal earring which did come through all the way (eventually) and I tried a labret, so going in from the back, which went in fine but it wouldn’t come out the front! I know both holes are open to a degree but for some reason I can’t get my stud all the way through and out the other side.
Is this a “force it through” situation? I don’t really want to hurt myself or make the swelling worse. Or will the swelling go down if I leave it alone for a few hours? The stud is fine without the back on at the moment (it’s a barbell stud) but I’m worried it might fall out and the piercing will fully close. I can’t get to a piercer for at least a week so that’s not really an option.
Please tell me all is not lost!