To treat an infected ear piercing, follow these steps carefully:
- Wash hands thoroughly before touching the piercing.
- Clean the infected area with a saline (saltwater) rinse or a pierced ear solution three times a day. Make your own saline by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of distilled water, or use a store-bought antiseptic solution.
- Gently clean around the piercing, including both sides of the earlobe or cartilage, and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
- Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh antibiotic ointments as these can irritate the skin and delay healing.
- Do not remove the earring, as removing it can cause the hole to close and trap the infection.
- Rotate the earring gently a few times daily to keep the skin from sticking to the post.
- If antibiotic ointments are recommended by a healthcare provider, apply after cleaning.
- Seek medical attention if the infection worsens, redness and swelling spread, there is pus discharge, if fever develops, or if a cartilage piercing is infected since these are more serious and may require oral antibiotics.
Most minor earlobe infections improve within 1 to 2 weeks with proper care. Cartilage infections often need medical evaluation because they can be more severe.
This approach provides a comprehensive and safe way to manage an infected ear piercing.
