Infected earring hole?

leto86 · Jan 23, 2006

I usually get this alot.. but this time it doens't want to go away.

I've been applying rubbing alcohol three to four times a day, for 2 days.. and it hurts just as much as it did 4 days ago.

Is there anything I can do other than rubbing alcohol? I really don't want to ahve to take the earring out and get my ears repeirced for the 3rd time.

Thanks for any info!

pombina · Jan 23, 2006

I used to get this so much when I was younger! I had to take antibiotics to fix it once and for all because it was so persistent. I occasionally get an infection in my naval piercing but I just use salt water to wash it.

phenomsmom · Jan 23, 2006

I dont know that you are supposed to use alcohol, try some peroxide and neosporin(spelling)

lunasmom · Jan 23, 2006

Originally Posted by Phenomsmom

I dont know that you are supposed to use alcohol, try some peroxide and neosporin(spelling)

katl8e · Jan 23, 2006

Whenever mine have become infected, I've cleaned them with peroxide and applied triple anitbiotic ointment, 3 times per day. If you're wearing posts, coat the post with the ointment and insert into the piercing.

My doctor recommended triple anitbiotic, instead of Neosporin.

sar · Jan 23, 2006

I would use salt water and possibly an antiseptic spray (like Savlon) and apply ice if there is any swelling to go with it.

I would also recommend that you wear studs, as opposed to rings, as his will let it heal quicker! (make sure that the jewellery that you have in it is cleaned in the salt water and sprayed with the antiseptic before you put it in!)

evnshawn · Jan 23, 2006

Yup, triple-antibiotic ointment. It'll heal better. The alcohol will cause irritation and maybe inflamation.

Also, make sure you wear earrings that are nickel-free. Some (most?) people have a sensitivity to nickel.

fwan · Jan 23, 2006

My holes never got infected untill i bought these new pair of earings, a few weeks ago, It makes my first hole red and itchy and the earing detaches it self and constantly falls. Your ears might be infected from the type of metal you buy. My ears get really itchy if i wear a certan charact gold.

katl8e · Jan 23, 2006

Make sure that you use surgical steel posts and get the soft plastic backs. Most clutchbacks are brass and can cause problems.

yosemite · Jan 23, 2006

I also had this problem when I was younger. I could wear gold hoops with no problem but I could not ever wear studs as I guess they didn't let the opening breathe. Also as one poster said, I could not wear any cheap metal earrings. I could only wear gold or surgical steel. Later on in life - late 20's, early 30's I was able to wear any type earring although I don't sleep with my earrings on as that tends to irritate my ears.

jennyr · Jan 23, 2006

I can only wear gold, silver or S Steel. My daughter can only wear gold. My ears still get infected enven if I don't wear earrings, and I put TCP antiseptic on, which seems to clear it up.

squirtle · Jan 23, 2006

I have trouble with yellow gold, especially in my ears. If it keeps happening, as others have said, you are probably having a reaction to the metal. Surgical steel would be best until your hole has completely healed.

sunnicat · Jan 23, 2006

I was told never to put alcohol on earring holes. Now they say use Bactine. Like others have said, you may have to be careful what type of post you wear, as well. Sorry, I know it's painful!

krazy kat2 · Jan 23, 2006

I am a professionally trained body piercer and have seen what you describe dozens of times. It is probably contact dermatitis, not infection. You should not use alcohol or any kind of ointment on them. It is not going to go away until you remove what is probably a high nickel content earring, and replace it with a good surgical steel 316L grade or better. Bactine will sometimes help relieve the itching and weeping after you change jewelry, but sea salt or non- iodized soaks are better. Take 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small cup of water as warm as you can stand it, and soak them until the water cools. That will draw out any impurities or builup of the ointments and other stuff you have put on them. Do this several times a day until the redness clears up. DO NOT use regular table salt, the iodine in it is not good for your piercings.

vibiana · Jan 23, 2006

Back in the mid-1980s I used to work for a jewelry store where we did ear piercings. We sold a special solution to clean earring holes with, all I remember about it was that it was much milder and didn't sting like isopropyl alcohol. You might check at Claire's or someplace else where they do piercings.

Also, I agree with the others who have posted about earring metal content. I have three piercings in each ear but only very rarely wear any earrings because so many of the metals irritate my ears. You need to look for surgical steel or 14K gold posts. I used to look for screwbacks -- the kind you get for baby girls when you first have their ears pierced so they can't pull the earrings out. They are usually pure metal.

menagerie mama · Jan 23, 2006

I get this if I don't wear nickel free jewelry. Now I never get it after figuring that out....good luck!

leto86 · Jan 23, 2006

I can only wear a cetain amount of karats of gorl or surgical steel, or else this happens. Stubs actually make it worse. I do have small hoops in.

I'll see if I can find my old studs and wear them for a few days.

Thansk for all the info, I will try anything!

eupnea · Jan 23, 2006

Originally Posted by krazy kat2

I am a professionally trained body piercer and have seen what you describe dozens of times. It is probably contact dermatitis, not infection. You should not use alcohol or any kind of ointment on them. It is not going to go away until you remove what is probably a high nickel content earring, and replace it with a good surgical steel 316L grade or better. Bactine will sometimes help relieve the itching and weeping after you change jewelry, but sea salt or non- iodized soaks are better. Take 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small cup of water as warm as you can stand it, and soak them until the water cools. That will draw out any impurities or builup of the ointments and other stuff you have put on them. Do this several times a day until the redness clears up. DO NOT use regular table salt, the iodine in it is not good for your piercings.

^ This is the best advice I think you're going to get.

Otherwise, it sounds like a nickel allergy to me. I've had that kind of reaction before in a couple of my piercings, including ears. Its reallly uncomfortable, but with sea salt soaks and different jewelry (surgical grade stainless steel is what I would recommend.) it should clear up fairly quickly, and be noticeably more comfortable within a couple of days.

menagerie mama · Jan 23, 2006

Originally Posted by Leto86

I'll see if I can find my old studs and wear them for a few days.

See, everything is better when you find a stud!

Ahahah...I kill me...

leto86 · Jan 23, 2006

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

See, everything is better when you find a stud!

Ahahah...I kill me...

I almsot fell off my chair just now.

Infected earring hole?

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