Infected piercing HELP PLEASE!!!I know it's not about a car but it's serious.

[xKnownShadowX]

So I got my ear pierced with a gun, I know it's bad but didn't know at the time, and well it was fine until 3-4days after.I got them pierced maybe like 2-3weeks ago and two weeks ago, I think, I noticed my left ear swollen and red with a bit of an itch.My moms, knowing that old school people do better things to cure, said to remove it and clean it which I did.I had to punch the hole in again and it was good.I took some anti-biotic and cleaned my ears daily twice a day.It started to get better and even more better after doing the warm water and Epsom salt thing.Well for some reason this morning, being 3weeks later, it got super swollen again and is eating and really big.It keep leaking some fluid that forms a crust which is normal I suppose to what I been reading.I also go two bumps on my neck next to the ear which a doctor once told me is normal when the ear is infected.I also didn't get gold earrings at the time so I got a plan.Tomorrow I will buy first time piercing gold earrings, remove the silver ones, clean the piercing, clean the new earring, dip it in anti-biotic cream and then put it on.

My question is, you think this should make it better?

I was thinking of going to a piercing shop to get it checked out also but IDK this is so frustrating because one ear is bigger then the other.FML and seriously this is a FML!!!Why?Cause I feel it and see it.

LMK Nico peeps I figured I try here since I know we got all kinds of people.

edit:I will not just take off the earring and let the hole close because the infection can stay and make everything a lot worse.

[Dire91]

Just like you said your body may not respond to silver very well so gold would be a good idea. I would have said that taking it out so early and forcing back in after lead to the infection but you said it went down and the infection came back. Your best bet is to just clean it twice a day. GO to the doctor either way, if worse comes to worse you may need to take it out and let it heal.

[xKnownShadowX]

Doctors will call anything an infection I was gonna go to a professional place where they pierce and have it checked out possibly.Thanks and I think I am allergic to fake jewelry cause my cousin's ear gets crusty after wearing cheap silver.Maybe it runs in the family but my ear is huge I hide them when I go out. I'll keep posted tomorrow and the day after if anything I hope it gets better and I'm gonna need to save money for good earrings from now on.

[krimsonviper]

You're probably *not* allergic to the piercing, and keep everything nice and clean. DON'T use ALCOHOL. It dries up your skin, find some other cleaner that WON'T eat the metal and dry your skin. Stop sleeping on that side of your face as well. You're probably agitating the wound. Stop smoking and drinking until it heals and keep taking your antibiotics. It's probably a broad spectrum prescription and will attack whatever is causing it.

FYI, it probably is an infection. Docs know more than the people who give you your piercings. Piercers just have information because their customers come back and they ask what happened and What they used to cure whatever they had. Not all bodies are the same, not all cures and infections are the same.

*Seek professional help. If you're allergic to the metal, it won't clear up at any point while the metal is still in you.*

Modified by krimsonviper at 2:35 AM 4/12/2010
Modified by krimsonviper at 2:40 AM 4/12/2010

[xKnownShadowX]

You're probably allergic to the piercing, and keep everything nice and clean. DON'T use ALCOHOL. It dries up your skin, find some other cleaner that WON'T eat the metal and dry your skin. Stop sleeping on that side of your face as well. You're probably agitating the wound. Stop smoking and drinking until it heals and keep taking your antibiotics. It's probably a broad spectrum prescription and will attack whatever is causing it.

FYI, it probably is an infection. Docs know more than the people who give you your piercings. They just have information because their customers come back and they ask what happened and they got a cure to whatever they had. Not all bodies are the same, not all cures and infections are the same.

Oh s***!!!Drinking makes it worse? Opps, I got drunk yesterday. Now I know for future reference.

Doctors may know but some doctors don't, trust me I've had that problem.I'll see what I can do though I might stick to the gold swap first.Thanks any info helps.

edit:By metal in me (no ****) do you mean earring?I was gonna swap it out like I said think it might help?I will still continue the cleaning daily which is day and night.

[krimsonviper]

No, drinkng won't make the infection worse but it doesn't help your body's natural defenses. You wanna try and stay as healthy as possible to combat whatever is ailing you.

It won't hurt to try a different metal, if it works hey life is easier, if it don't, well continue problem solving.

[xKnownShadowX]

Yeah thanks for the info.Who knew a car forum had this info hahaha.........Hate to say it but NICO CLUB THIS ISH!!!Hahaha.......thanks will post back I'm going to bed.

[IBCoupe]

Amputation probably would fix the problem. Pull a Van Gogh.

[Dano]

That's nature saying guys shouldn't have piercings.

[dusred]

That's nature saying guys shouldn't have piercings.

[xKnownShadowX]

Guys aren't meant to have anything but who says there's a rule?If we got ****'s and fools who dress **** but are straight then why you say guys can't have piercings?I'm a man so IDK just something I wonder.Hahaha.............Well I swapped them out and squeezed my ear but nothing cam out.Most likely I'm allergic to fake jewelry so hope it gets better.I cleaned the area with alcohol, even though it's rough on skin, and it stung but just to kill anything sitting around.I also dipped the piercing in cream and slipped it right on and finished it with a twist.Dope.

Thanks peeps will post if I end up getting a dog ear sewed on.

[Dano]

Maybe try bat ears on for size?

[dre1507]

Am i the only one who almost threw up at the thought of it leaking fluids?

[hatedinthemind]

just clean them alot. Your right if you do take them out it can make things alot worse. Your ears will heal trust me.

[nissangirl74]

Many people have a bad reaction to Nickel, commonly found in cheap jewelry, especially from Asia. I can't wear it at all. I always used alcohol to clean my ears. I have never had a problem with dry skin so it never bothered me. Whatever you do, do NOT use peroxide. It will seal the hole as it fights the infection.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

my mom can ONLY wear gold or gold plated earrings...

[LEMHEAD16]

That's nature saying guys shouldn't have piercings.

[xKnownShadowX]

Many people have a bad reaction to Nickel, commonly found in cheap jewelry, especially from Asia. I can't wear it at all. I always used alcohol to clean my ears. I have never had a problem with dry skin so it never bothered me. Whatever you do, do NOT use peroxide. It will seal the hole as it fights the infection.

Basically it closes the infection inside the ear?Good thing I only used it yesterday and today.I used it to clean the ear cause I have barely alcohol at the bottom of the bottle.Hopefully tomorrow it looks better but all I'm using now is the salt thing would you suggest using the cleaning liquid they gave me?

Thanks girls usually know best.

[nissangirl74]

Basically it closes the infection inside the ear?Good thing I only used it yesterday and today.I used it to clean the ear cause I have barely alcohol at the bottom of the bottle.Hopefully tomorrow it looks better but all I'm using now is the salt thing would you suggest using the cleaning liquid they gave me?

Thanks girls usually know best.

If the alcohol doesn't dry you out, I would seriously stick with it. Hell, most places wipe your ears with alcohol before they pierce them. HOWEVER, do NOT disregard anything KV said just because he is a guy. He's going to school in the medical field so he probably has a better idea what is best for the general population. I can only tell you what works for me. (Salt naturally kills germs and bacteria. It should work OK too.)

[zacmil]

Am i the only one who almost threw up at the thought of it leaking fluids?

No... no you aren't.

OP: No disrespect, but please see a doctor, they know more than some dude at a place that does piercings.

[DevilMB3017]

Regular Dial hand soap is very good for piercings like this.

I'd also take it out, and clean it often.

[93coupe]

That's nature saying guys shouldn't have piercings done with a piercing gun.

Everyone has already told you what you need to know. From now on, go to a piercing shop that uses hollow needles.

[xKnownShadowX]

I would go to the doctors if I had Health Insurance. It's coming down now though and I swapped the earrings to 14k gold ones.I also think I found out what made it get swollen.I clean both ears and I put some anti-biotic cream and since then now my other ear is swollen unless I hit it when I was sleeping.They are both going down now though so I'll see where this goes.It's interesting but I hate have Oger ears.

Next time I will pay $40 to get something pierced which won't happen.Thanks Nico.

[Crazyirish]

Stay away from piercing guns. The people who use them probably dont know what they are doing.

True story. I worked at the local mall, and one day the manager shows up with a lady. He tells us that we are going to start piercing ears and she's here to teach us how. 30 minutes later she says "I think you guys are ready to go!" and leaves us to it. BTW at 20 I was the oldest employee. Things did not go well. Just because somebody gets paid to do something, doesn't mean they know how.

[Dano]

Everyone has already told you what you need to know. From now on, go to a piercing shop that uses hollow needles.

I see what you added. Now your on my radar.