Even with meticulous care, cartilage piercings become infected about 30% of the time. One study followed a more than 450 nurses who pierced their ears. About 30% of “high” ear piercings, or piercings of the cartilage of the pinna/upper ear, become infected, compared to about 20% of ear lobe piercings.
Herein, how can I prevent my cartilage piercing from getting infected?
How to prevent infections in new piercings
- choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer.
- clean your piercing twice a day.
- use warm, salty water to soften any crusting.
- gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing.
- use a clean paper towel to dry the piercing.
Also, what piercing is less likely to get infected?
Implant grade stainless steel is least likely to produce a foreign body reaction or infection in the skin. Other safe choices for new piercings are metals such as gold, titanium, or niobium. However, they cost more than implant grade stainless steel.
When should I see a doctor for an infected cartilage piercing?
Call your doctor if you experience any of these infection symptoms: Fever. Red, swollen skin around the pierced area. Pain when touching the pierced area.
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.
Should I remove my infected cartilage piercing?
Don’t remove the piercing. This can cause the hole to close up and trap the infection. Clean the piercing on both sides of your earlobe. Pat the area dry with paper towels.
How do you know if your body is rejecting a piercing?
Symptoms of piercing rejection
- more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
- the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
- the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
- the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
- the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.
Why do cartilage piercings flare up?
‘Most of the time if an ear piercing is flaring up, 9 out of 10 times it’s not an infection (they’re actually really rare) it’s an allergic reaction to the nickel in the jewellery. ‘
How do I get my cartilage piercing to stop hurting?
Apply a warm compress or do a sea salt soak
A warm compress can help the infection drain and relieve pain and swelling. Soaking the infection in a warm salt solution can also help the infection heal.
Why is my cartilage piercing swollen?
A cartilage piercing creates an open wound. 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.
What piercing gets infected most?
Piercing your rook may seem like a great idea, but it’s important to be aware that it’s one of the most painful types of ear piercings. You’ll also… A vertical lip piercing is a simple and distinct type of piercing. They can also easily become infected.
What’s the most painless piercing?
What is the least painful piercing? Most piercers agree that earlobe piercings are the least painful type of piercing because they are positioned on a fleshy, easy-to-pierce portion of skin. Most oral piercings, eyebrow piercings, and even navel piercings are also surprisingly low on the pain scale for the same reason.
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.
