Perhaps the thought of a piercing is exciting, yet does regular redness of the area mean something serious? Though some mild irritation is normal, an infected earring may result in painful problems like scarring or abscesses, when left unattended. How do I know if my earring is infected?
This guide will assist you in knowing what to look for in case your earring is infected!
Warning Symptoms of an Infected Earring
It is necessary to move swiftly by differentiating normal healing and infection.
1. Early Warning Signs
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Persistent Warmth and Redness
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Green/Yellow Pus
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The throbbing pain
2. Advanced Infection Symptoms
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More swollen and dilated
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Chills or fever
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Bad Odor
Is It Just Irritation?
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Normal Healing:
A slight crust, minor itchiness, or a temporary redness in 1 week. -
Infection:
Pain gets worse as time passes, pus becomes discolored, and swelling expands beyond the site of the piercing.
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Causes of Earring Infections
Understanding the reasons for infections helps to avoid these infections.
1. Poor Piercing Practices
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Guns for piercing are more difficult to sterilization than needles, which increases the chance of getting sick.
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When you touch your piercing with dirty hands, it introduces bacteria.
2. Jewelry Issues
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Metals of low quality
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Change Earrings Too Soon
3. Aftercare Mistakes
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The piercing can be irritated with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which will slow down the healing process.
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Early swimming
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Treatment of Infected Earring
First Aid (Mild Infections)
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Make sure that you wash your hands before handling the piercing.
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Wash twice a day using saline solution.
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Put on sparingly an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin.
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Leave the earring on to prevent bacteria entrapment.
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When should one see a physician?
Please seek medical assistance for:
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Drastic swelling, soaring temperature, or lines of red.
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Persistent conditions from over 48 hours, even with home treatment.
Avoiding Future Infections
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Use hypoallergenic metals like titanium or surgical steel, or 14k gold.
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Avoid the use of nickel and other inexpensive alloys since they are frequent stimulators of irritation.
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Wash it two or three times a day with soap and water, not with strong irritants.
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You can simply lie down on your back to relieve pressure on the fresh piercings.
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Switching earrings may take 6-8 weeks as healing has to go the full way.
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Avoid smoking as blood flow decreases, thus slowing down the healing process.
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Avoid swimming in the ocean or pools, at least for two weeks after the piercing.
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The Bottom Line
How do I know if my earring is infected? It is beneficial to learn how to find out whether your earring has been infected so that you might not experience this discomfort and other issues. Look out for persistent redness or colored pus, and check the swelling that is increasing in size. Act immediately, either with saline or medical care. Still not sure? Have it checked!