How do you know if you have an ear infection from a piercing?
Symptoms of an infected ear piercing typically include:
- Redness or swelling at the piercing site or redness that continues to expand past the piercing.
- Crusty discharge.
- Heat felt in the area around the piercing.
- Thick pus that can be yellow or green.
- Pain or itching.
- Fever or feeling unwell.
Can an infected piercing make you sick?
Tattoos and body piercings provide an opening in the skin that may allow germs to enter your body and cause infections. These infections could cause sepsis. It is for this reason that anyone who receives a tattoo or piercing must take special care to reduce the risk of contracting an infection.
Do ear infections from piercings go away on their own?
With proper care, most mild earlobe infections will clear up in 1 to 2 weeks. It is common to have mild infections come back without daily earring care.
Should I go to the doctor for infected piercing?
With proper care, most minor infections should clear up in a couple days. If it does not get better within 3 days, you should see a doctor. If the infection gets worse, you should see a doctor.
When should I go to the doctor for an infected ear piercing?
How do you get rid of a piercing infection?
Treating the infection at home
- Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing.
- Clean around the piercing with a saltwater rinse three times a day.
- Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments.
- Don’t remove the piercing.
- Clean the piercing on both sides of your earlobe.
Should I change my piercing if it’s infected?
If a new piercing is infected, it is best not to remove the earring. Removing the piercing can allow the wound to close, trapping the infection within the skin. For this reason, it is advisable not to remove an earring from an infected ear unless advised by a doctor or professional piercer.
