“Earring posts can accumulate retained skin oils that help yeast, fungus, and bacteria overgrow,” explains Ciraldo. You might think a simple shampoo in the shower is enough to wash away that gunk, but even leftover hair products can build up around the earring post and accumulate in and around that tiny earring hole.
Then, why does my piercing have discharge?
It is very normal and healthy for a new piercing to ooze some clear or straw-colored fluid that then might crust around the jewelry. This is lymph fluid, and it is a part of the healing process. On the other hand, thick whitish or colored discharge (yellow, green) is probably pus.
Keeping this in view, how do I get the gunk out of my earring hole?
Clean your jewelry 2-3 times a day to help keep them clean until your infection clears. Dab rubbing alcohol on the piercing holes. Use a cotton balls or swab. Dampen the swab with alcohol, then place on the ear lobe all around the piercing.
Why do earring holes stink?
Your skin secrets a natural oil called sebum which can mix with the dead cells in your piercings and cause a buildup. This buildup serves as a great environment for bacteria to thrive and hence you end up with the foul smell.
Why do piercings smell weird?
Cause of the Smell
Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It’s an oily secretion meant to lubricate the skin and make it waterproof. Mix sebum with some dead skin cells and a little bit of bacteria, and you get some really potent smelling piercings!
Should I squeeze the pus out of my piercing?
You should never try to drain pus or fluid from the infected area. This can make the infection worse. If your symptoms are severe, see your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection.
What if my piercing has pus?
An infected ear piercing may be red, swollen, sore, warm, itchy or tender. Sometimes the piercing oozes blood or white, yellow or greenish pus. A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal. During that time, any bacteria (germs) that enter the wound can lead to infection.
When I squeeze my ear piercing white stuff comes out?
Some earring hole infections may also be accompanied by an oozy discharge, but not all ear discharge is cause for alarm. In fact, ears sometimes secrete a white to yellow thin liquid while healing from a piercing, and sebum from your oil glands can also collect on your piercings.
Is my piercing healing properly?
Signs that a Piercing is Healed:
Discharge will form often harden on the right at the piercing entrance for weeks at a time, then suddenly stop only to return a few weeks later. Some times there is no discharge at all or maybe you shower so often that it never has a chance to collect.
How do I know if my piercing is healing properly?
Should I rotate my ear piercing?
There’s no reason to rotate your piercing. You could damage the delicate, healing skin by rotating the jewelry. In the past, rotating the jewelry was recommended, but it has been found to cause damage that can lead to infection and scarring. For happy healing, NEVER rotate your body jewelry.
Why is there black stuff in my earring hole?
The cause of a gray or black piercing hole is usually jewelry made with improper or inferior metals that turn your skin black, gray, bluish-gray, or grayish-black in color. “Argyria” is the proper term for this condition caused by exposure to silver or silver compounds.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol to clean my ear piercing?
Always wash hands thoroughly before contact with 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.
What is the best saline solution for piercings?
Do not use table salt, kosher salt, Epsom salts, or iodized sea salts. Non-iodized fine-grain sea salt is best for avoiding additives, as well as its ability to dissolve into a solution. Do not make the solution too salty, as that can be irritating to the piercing and the skin.
