Most infected ear piercings are caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and so you need an antibiotic that covers this bacteria, such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin.
Correspondingly, how do I treat an infected ear piercing?
Treating New Pierced Ear Infections (during first 6 weeks):
- Don’t take out the earring! Clean the infected area 3 times a day.
- Wash hands with soap and water before touching the ear or earring.
- Use cotton swab (“Q-Tip”) dipped in pierced ear solution (see #3 below).
- Clean exposed earring (both sides).
Also, can you use Neosporin on a piercing?
NEVER USE: Bacitracin or Neosporin. Petroleum based ointments CLOG the piercing and make it difficult for your body to heal. … These products are too strong and will irritate your skin and piercing.
What ointment is good for infected ear piercing?
Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
Is my 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.
Will an infected ear piercing heal on its own?
Most infected ear piercings can be treated at home and will improve within a few days, although, in some cases, antibiotics may be necessary. If symptoms do not improve, the infection spreads, or there are other symptoms, a person should speak to a doctor.
What does an infected piercing look like?
Your piercing might be infected if: the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark (depending on your skin colour) there’s blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow. you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell.
What is a good saline solution for piercings?
Make a soaking solution by mixing sea salt and distilled water. Use pure sea salt (non-iodized) and not table salt, which contains extra chemicals that can irritate your piercing and dextrose (sugar) that can cause yeast infections.
Is antibiotic ointment good for piercings?
DO NOTapply any ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin or any other “triple antibiotic” ointment on your piercing. These prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a sticky residue, which can cause complications. They are NOT designed for use on healing piercings.
How do doctors treat infected piercings?
Call your
- Over-the-counter medicines you rub on your skin, such as an antibiotic ointment.
- A warm compress applied to the piercing.
- Mild sea salt soaks.
How do you make a salt water rinse for piercings?
Here’s how to prepare a sea salt solution for cleaning or soaking your piercing:
- Pour 1 cup of warm water into a cup or bowl. …
- Add 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon of the sea salt, and allow it to dissolve. …
- Dip squares of clean gauze or dressing into the sea salt solution and allow them to saturate.
- Apply them to your piercing.
Can you put hydrogen peroxide on a piercing?
Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. (Both slow the healing of pierced area by drying and killing new healthy cells.) Do not use bacitracin or other ointments. … Twice a day saturate a cotton swab or Q-Tip with the cleaning solution, apply to the pierced area, let soak for a few minutes.
What can I put on my piercing to help it heal?
Is witch hazel good for piercings?
The following products will irritate the new tissue, delay healing and SHOULD BE AVOIDED: Antibacterial soap, Bactine, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, Ear cleaning solution, Peroxide, Alcohol, Antibiotic ointments. … Piercings in cartilage take longer to heal and must be cleaned for the entire healing period.
