You can tell if your ear piercing is infected by looking for these key signs and symptoms:
- Redness or swelling around the piercing site, especially if the redness spreads beyond the piercing
- The area feels warm or hot to the touch
- Pain, tenderness, or increased discomfort, particularly when touching the ear
- Itching or burning sensations that persist or worsen
- Discharge that is yellow, green, or cloudy pus, sometimes accompanied by crusty buildup around the earring
- The earring may become stuck or start to sink into the ear tissue
- Systemic symptoms like fever or feeling generally unwell, which indicate a more serious infection
Normal healing can include mild redness, tenderness, some itching, and a clear or slightly yellow crusty discharge, but if these symptoms worsen or are accompanied by pus, spreading redness, or heat, it likely indicates infection
. If you suspect your piercing is infected, keep the jewelry in place to allow drainage unless a doctor advises otherwise, and seek medical advice promptly, especially if symptoms are severe or involve cartilage piercings, which are harder to treat
. In summary, watch for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus discharge, and systemic symptoms to determine if your ear piercing is infected.
