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Key Points
- Approximately one-third of individuals with pierced ears encounter minor complications, with infection being the most prevalent.
- Even with proper care, infections can occur due to factors like unclean hands, non-sterilized equipment, and overly tight earrings.
- Typical symptoms of an infected piercing include discharge, swelling, redness, pain, itching, and burning.
- Home treatment methods include hand hygiene, applying a saltwater solution, using an antibiotic cream, and changing pillowcases regularly, but avoid cleaning with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- If symptoms persist or worsen, or if there are signs like the earring not moving, fever, or infection spreading, it's crucial to seek medical help.
Around 35% of people with pierced ears have a mild complication—with the most common complication being a minor infection, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Healthline notes that when you get your ears pierced, you should receive instructions on how to care for your new piercing, including how to prevent an infection. But sometimes bacteria can still find their way in and you can develop a minor infection despite your best efforts. Thankfully, the vast majority of these infections can be dealt with at home.
Causes of an Infected Ear Piercing
Any bacteria in an open wound can quickly turn into an infection, according to Healthline. If you touch your piercing with dirty hands or use unsterilized instruments to do the piercing, it is possible to get an infection. Additionally, Healthline notes that if your earrings are on too tightly your new piercing won’t be able to breathe and heal, which can cause an infection to develop.
Symptoms of an Infected Ear Piercing
According to Healthline, it is usually easy to identify an infected ear piercing—symptoms may include:
- Yellow or pus-like discharge from the piercing
- Swelling at or near the piercing
- Redness at or near the piercing
- Pain or tenderness at the piercing
- Itching and burning at the piercing
What to do for an Infected Ear Piercing
If you’re dealing with an infected ear piercing, you can usually take care of it at home. The Mayo Clinic lists the following steps for taking care of it:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Prepare a saltwater solution of 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves, then soak a cotton ball in the solution.
- Leaving the piercing jewelry in place, dab the soaked cotton ball on and around the piercing (both front and back).
- Gently pat the piercing dry with clean gauze or a tissue.
- Apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin and Bacitracin are brand names you may be familiar with).
- Repeat these steps three times a day until the infection improves.
- Change your pillowcase every two days.
Things to Avoid When It Comes to Caring for an Ear Piercing Infection
There are a few older home remedies that are known for causing more harm than good, according to Healthline. They note that you should avoid the following things:
- Removing your piercings
- Use alcohol or rubbing alcohol to clean your infected ear-piercing
- Using hydrogen peroxide to clean your infected ear-piercing
When to see a Doctor for an Infected Ear Piercing
Most of the time, ear piercing infections are mild and can be resolved at home. However, there are some cases in which you should see a doctor. As a general rule, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you see a doctor if the infection doesn’t improve within 3 days. Additionally, Healthline recommends that you see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- The earring doesn’t move
- The earring clasp becomes embedded in your skin
- You develop a fever
- The infection, or redness and inflammation, spreads beyond the piercing site
How to Prevent an Infected Ear Piercing
There are a few things you can do to help prevent an ear piercing infection, according to Healthline:
- Have your ears pierced by a certified professional.
- Don’t do an ear piercing at home.
- Ask about the infection prevention protocols at the place where you plan to get pierced. Also, ask if their tools are sterile, and confirm that the earrings they use come out of a new, sterile package.
- After you get the piercing, follow the home care instructions from the professional who did your piercing. Usually, these instructions include cleaning your ear piercings with sterile saline twice a day and avoiding turning or removing the piercing, according to Healthline.
Summary
Getting an infected ear piercing is fairly common, but luckily they are usually mild and can be taken care of at home. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following steps if you are dealing with an infected ear piercing:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Use a saltwater solution and a cotton ball to clean both sides of your ear piercing.
- Gently pat the piercing dry with clean gauze or a tissue.
- Use a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream on the infected piercing.
- Repeat these steps three times a day until the infection improves.
- Change your pillowcase every two days.
You should also see a doctor if your infection doesn’t improve within 3 days or you start having more serious symptoms, like:
- Your earring doesn’t move
- Your earring clasp becomes embedded in your skin
- You develop a fever
- The infection spreads beyond the piercing site
Sources:
How to Treat an Infected Ear Piercing. (December 8, 2023) https://www.verywellhealth.com/infected-ear-piercing-5184120
How to Treat a Piercing Sit Infection. (December 8, 2023) https://www.mayoclinic.org/ear-piercing-infection/expert-answers/faq-20452841
How to Treat an Infected Ear Piercing. (December 8, 2023) https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-treat-an-infected-ear-piercing
Infected Ear Piercing: Symptoms & Treatment. (December 8, 2023) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21503-infected-ear-piercing
Frequently asked questions
What are the common complications of ear piercing?
The most common complication is infection, characterized by symptoms like discharge, swelling, redness, pain, itching, and burning at the piercing site.What causes an ear piercing infection?
Infections can be caused by several factors such as dirty hands, unsterilized piercing instruments, and overly tight earrings.How can I treat an infected ear piercing at home?
You can treat it at home by washing your hands, applying a saltwater solution with a cotton ball, drying the area gently, applying an over-the-counter antibiotic cream, and changing your pillowcase every two days.What should I avoid doing if my ear piercing is infected?
You should avoid removing the piercing or cleaning it with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.When should I seek medical attention for an infected ear piercing?
If the infection doesn't improve within three days, or if the earring doesn't move, the clasp embeds in the skin, a fever develops, or the infection spreads beyond the piercing site, you should seek medical attention.How can I prevent an ear piercing infection?
To prevent infection, ensure your piercing is done by a professional, avoid home piercings, and ensure sterile conditions. Follow the professional's home care instructions after piercing.What are the typical home care instructions after ear piercing?
Home care instructions usually involve cleaning the piercing with sterile saline and avoiding turning or removing the piercing.What are the signs that an ear piercing infection is getting worse?
Signs that an infection is getting worse include the earring not moving, the clasp embedding in the skin, a fever developing, or the infection spreading beyond the piercing site.
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