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How to Wash an Infected Ear Piercing

January 30, 2024 by admin Category: How To

You are viewing the article How to Wash an Infected Ear Piercing  at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.

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This article was co-written by Navid Malakouti, MD, FAAD. Navid Malakouti is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, skin surgery, and medical dermatology. He specializes in acne, rosacea, psoriasis, skin cancer, botox injections, fillers, laser treatments and chemical peels. His patients are of all ages. Malakouti is certified by the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatological Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Color Society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego and a medical doctorate from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in dermatology in Washington DC at Howard University, the VA Medical Center, the National Children’s Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health.

There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 14,187 times.

Ear piercing infections are quite common, especially with newly pierced piercings. Most piercing infections will clear up within 1-2 weeks if cleaned twice a day. You can use a cotton ball or cotton swab dipped in salt water or antibacterial soap to wash, then dry with a paper towel. Avoid alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, as these can slow healing. See your doctor if the infection spreads, if the wound doesn’t get better after 2 days, or if you have a fever. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing, and prevent re-infection by avoiding swimming and remembering to clean your cell phone.

Table of Contents

  • Steps
    • Wash an infected piercing at home
    • Visit a medical professional
    • Prevention of re-infection
  • Warning

Steps

Wash an infected piercing at home

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 1

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 1

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Wash your hands before touching the piercing. You should always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing, especially if the wound is fresh or infected. Use antibacterial soap and warm water. Avoid playing with earrings and only touch them after washing your hands. [1] X Research Source
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 2

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 2

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Do not remove the earrings. If your piercing is new, you’ll need to leave it on for at least 6 weeks, even if it’s infected. Rotating earrings when you first get a piercing is advisable, but you need to stop rotating for 1-2 weeks when the piercing becomes infected. [2] X Research Source

  • If the infected wound is a healed piercing or has been pierced for more than 6 months, you should remove the earrings while treating the infection.
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 3

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 3

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Wash the wound with a cotton ball dipped in salt water or soap. Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab in salt water or mild antibacterial soap, dab it around the infected wound, and finally dry it with a disposable tissue. [3] X Research Sources

  • Use saline solution provided by the piercing salon, if available. You can also buy ready-made salt water or make your own by dissolving 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 quart of warm water.
  • If using soap, choose one that is fragrance-free and alcohol-free.
  • Wash your ear piercing twice a day. You can rotate the earrings while washing, while the piercing is still wet with salt water or soap.
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Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 4

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 4

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Apply antibiotic ointment. After washing and drying, you can apply antibiotic ointment to help the wound heal. Dab a small amount of ointment on a cotton ball or cotton swab and apply a thin layer to the infection. [4] X Research Sources

  • Ointment should not be used if the wound is oozing or exuding fluid. [5] X Research Sources
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 5

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 5

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Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. The rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide will dry out the infected skin and kill the cells that are useful for the healing process. The infection can get worse when the white blood cells around the wound die. Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and make sure wound cleaning products do not contain alcohol. [6] X Research Sources

Visit a medical professional

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 6

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 6

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Contact your doctor if the infection does not improve after 2 days. Start by washing the wound twice a day. You should see signs of improvement such as less redness or swelling after 2 days. If your infection gets worse or shows no signs of improvement, you should make an appointment to see your doctor or visit a medical facility. [7] X Research Sources
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 7

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 7

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See your doctor if the infection is widespread or if you have a fever. Monitor closely for infection during the first day. See your doctor if the infection spreads outside the piercing site or if you have a fever. This could be a sign of a more serious infection that requires antibiotic treatment. [8] X Research Sources
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 8

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 8

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Have your doctor check your cartilage piercing for an infection. You should be very careful when handling piercings in the cartilage area or in the upper part of the ear. To be on the safe side, it’s best to have your doctor check for an infection in the cartilage area as soon as possible. Infections in cartilage piercings are more likely to become serious, and in the long term can cause ear deformities, such as “cauliflower ears”, which causes the cartilage on the ear to become rough. [9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 9

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 9

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Talk to your doctor about antibiotic use. When you arrive at the clinic, your doctor may take a sample of the site of the infection to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection. [10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source

  • Ask your doctor if you should take antibiotics, and which ones are most effective in your case.
  • Do not wash your piercing for at least 24 hours before seeing your doctor. The doctor will need to take a sample of the site of infection to make a diagnosis, and wound cleaning products can interfere with the testing process.
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Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 10

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 10

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Recommend allergy testing. Redness, swelling, itching, and other signs of infection can also be caused by allergies. If the test is negative, ask your doctor about allergy testing. [11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source

  • If this is your first time getting a piercing, you may be allergic to metal. You can avoid an allergic reaction by wearing earrings that do not contain nickel, as this is the most common allergenic metal.
  • Your doctor may refer you to an allergist. You will be tested further to identify the substance that may be the cause of your allergy.

Prevention of re-infection

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 11

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 11

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Avoid swimming when you first get your piercing. Always abstain from swimming for at least 2 weeks after the piercing. [12] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source Stay away from pools or natural lakes and the sea during this time, and remember to clean your piercing with salt water after bathing. [13] X Research Source

  • You should also avoid swimming while treating an infected piercing.
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 12

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 12

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Do not let your hair touch the piercing. If you have long hair, you should tie it back to avoid touching your newly pierced or infected piercing. Wash your hair more often than usual. [14] X Research Source

  • Be careful not to get hairspray or hair gel in your piercing and avoid hooking your earrings when combing.
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 13

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 13

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Disinfect cell phones every day. Cell phones are full of bacteria that can cause infections, so you should regularly disinfect your phone even if you don’t have an infection. Remove the phone case to clean both the phone and the case with an antibacterial wet wipe or a paper towel sprayed with cleaning solution. [15] X Research Source

  • All phones that you are using should also be cleaned.
  • You can also turn on the speakerphone when a caller comes in so you don’t have to put too much pressure on your ear.
Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 14

Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 14

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Remove the earrings while sleeping after the piercing is completely healed. If the piercing is new, you should leave the original earrings in place for 6 weeks and wear them continuously for 6 months. After 6 months, the piercing will heal completely and will not be blocked. Once your piercing has healed, it’s a good idea to remove your earrings while you sleep to allow ventilation and prevent infection. [16] X Research Source
  • Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 15

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    Image titled Clean an Infected Ear Piercing Step 15

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    Get your piercing at a reputable facility. The cleaner the piercing salon, the less likely the piercing is to become infected. You should see reviews of the piercing facility before coming. Make sure the piercing salon is licensed. When you visit your piercing, look to see if the staff member is wearing latex gloves and ask if they have equipment to disinfect the tools. [17] X Research Source

    • It’s not a good idea to get piercings at night markets or abroad while on vacation.
    • You should not ask a friend to pierce your ears at home because there is no proper sterilization equipment.
  • Warning

    • Although rare, the hepatitis C (hepatitis C) virus can be transmitted through piercing with unsterilized equipment. [18] X Source of Study Symptoms include bleeding, bruising, itchy skin, fatigue, yellow skin and eyes, and leg swelling. [19] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
    X

    This article was co-written by Navid Malakouti, MD, FAAD. Navid Malakouti is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, skin surgery, and medical dermatology. He specializes in acne, rosacea, psoriasis, skin cancer, botox injections, fillers, laser treatments and chemical peels. His patients are of all ages. Malakouti is certified by the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatological Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Color Society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego and a medical doctorate from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in dermatology in Washington DC at Howard University, the VA Medical Center, the National Children’s Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health.

    There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

    This article has been viewed 14,187 times.

    Ear piercing infections are quite common, especially with newly pierced piercings. Most piercing infections will clear up within 1-2 weeks if cleaned twice a day. You can use a cotton ball or cotton swab dipped in salt water or antibacterial soap to wash, then dry with a paper towel. Avoid alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, as these can slow healing. See your doctor if the infection spreads, if the wound doesn’t get better after 2 days, or if you have a fever. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing, and prevent re-infection by avoiding swimming and remembering to clean your cell phone.

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