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.
Then, how do I know if my cartilage piercing is healing correctly?
Signs that the piercing is fully healed include the site of the piercing being normal colored and not red, swollen, or tender; no clear or yellowish fluid draining; and no pain when the area is touched. The earliest a cartilage piercing heals for most people is 3 months.
Consequently, why is my cartilage piercing not healing?
Cartilage piercings are apparently significantly slower to heal than earlobe piercings because there is no direct blood supply to deliver “healing nutrients.” For this my doctor prescribed two antibacterial treatments: mupirocin ointment (similar to Polysporin) and chlorhexidine rinse.
Is my cartilage piercing infected or irritated?
According to Thompson, the telltale signs of an infection are simple: “The area around the piercing is warm to the touch, you notice extreme redness or red streaks protruding from it, and it has discolored pus, normally with a green or brown tint,” Thompson says.
How can I make my cartilage piercing heal faster?
How to Heal a Helix
- 1) GO TO A PROFESSIONAL. …
- 2) SAY NO TO THE GUN. …
- 3) CHOOSE YOUR JEWELLERY WISELY, AND DON’T CHANGE IT. …
- 4) GET ONE DONE AT A TIME. …
- 5) KEEP IT CLEAN. …
- 6) TREAT YOUR PIERCING TO REGULAR SALT BATHS.
Should I twist my cartilage piercing?
No, you should not twist your cartilage piercing as this can prevent healing. Just wiping the cleaning solution over the front and back of the piercing should be enough.
How do you shower with a new cartilage piercing?
Why does my cartilage piercing still hurt?
Ashley explains, “Cartilage is not very vascular tissue and because blood flow is an integral part of the healing process the healing time takes a bit longer.” However, Ashley tells me not to worry too much about the pain, “This does not mean that it hurts for the entirety of that time; usually, if the piercing is …
How can I make my piercing heal faster?
USE WARM SEA SALT WATER (SALINE) SOAKS – MORNING AND EVENING
it will also help prevent infection, reduce the risk of scarring, and speed the healing of your piercing. Do not touch your piercing without first washing your hands; and leave your jewelry in at all times! Wash your hands thoroughly.
How do you sleep with a new cartilage piercing?
How to Sleep with a new cartilage Piercing:
- Get in the habit of sleeping on your back: Yes, I know it’s easier said than done but learning to sleep on your back will benefit you in so many ways. …
- Tie your hair up (or to the side) …
- Use a travel pillow.
How fast do cartilage piercings close?
It may take up to 6 months or even 1 year before a helix or tragus piercing is fully healed. While your piercing is still healing, don’t take your jewelry out for an extended period. Doing so may cause the hole to close.
Why is my cartilage piercing throbbing?
Pain scale
Cartilage piercings can have major differences in pain level and healing time. Cartilage is thick, hard tissue that doesn’t pierce as easily as soft earlobes. … This intense throbbing pain will last for at least a few days before easing up. You can expect to have some difficulty sleeping the first few nights.
Why is my cartilage piercing always crusty?
Crusting after body piercing is perfectly normal—this is just the result of your body trying to heal itself. 1? Dead blood cells and plasma make their way to the surface and then dry when exposed to air. While perfectly normal, these crusties do need to be cleaned carefully and thoroughly whenever you notice them.
Why is my cartilage piercing swollen and throbbing?
As it heals, it may look swollen, lumpy, or like a bump. In the days immediately following a cartilage piercing, the body’s immune system triggers inflammation and swelling to heal the wound, sometimes leading to a cartilage bump. Over time, cartilage piercings may develop other bumps due to infections or scarring.