Q&A for How to Clean a New Ear Piercing

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Is a swollen and tender earlobe common for a new piercing?

Community Answer

Yes, these symptoms are definitely not uncommon for newly pierced ears.

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Question

Do you have to wipe your ears for 6 weeks?

Community Answer

Yes, it's important to keep them clean while they're healing.

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Question

Is it normal for a new piercing to have crust around it?

Community Answer

This is completely normal. Gently clean it off with warm water during your normal piercing care routine.

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Question

Is it okay to go on a camping trip only 3 weeks after getting my piercings done?

Community Answer

Yes, but you would have to bring the cleaning solution to prevent infection.

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Question

What can I apply in my ears if it stings?

Jazmyn Lowen

Community Answer

Use a warm sea salt solution.

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Question

My ears are swollen and red. Pus is also coming out. Will it be cured soon? What should I do?

BreezyDeezy

Community Answer

No. You have an infection. Continue cleaning your ears and see a doctor.

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Question

Should the piercing still hurt a few days after it's done?

Community Answer

It's natural for it to be sore for awhile. If the soreness lasts more than a week or there is discharge at the site of the piercing, it may be infected and you should consult a doctor.

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Question

Can I take my earrings out after five weeks of having them done?

Community Answer

It's best to wait six weeks to change the earrings and six months to take them out. If you take them out after five weeks without replacing them, the holes will likely grow back.

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Question

The man who pierced my ears said that I shouldn't put water on them, however it's been 7 days now, so can I get them wet?

Community Answer

You can put water on your piercings pretty much the day you get them done. He might have meant that they shouldn't stay wet and that you should dry them immediately after a shower/cleaning them. If you have not cleaned your new piercing in a week PLEASE give it a thorough cleaning so it does not get infected.

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Question

I'm 11 years old. Is it okay if I do my second piercing at this age?

Community Answer

Your age should not dominate whether or not it is okay, but keep in mind what your parents recommend and what you like and prefer for yourself. Decide whether or not you are ready.

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Question

I got my ears pierced on October 14, 2016. Are they healed yet?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Do I have to heat up the salt water every time I want to use it?

Community Answer

You don't have to, but it's recommended since the heat will increase the bloodflow to the wound.

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Question

It's been 5 days since I had my third lobes done and both of them are still swollen and a bit painful when being touched. They are not red or and there's no pus. Is this normal?

Community Answer

Yes. It should be okay as long as it is not red. They could hurt for a while.

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Question

Are there any water based healing processes I could do?

Community Answer

Using a salt water soak is the best way to clean pierced ears. Mix a generous amount of salt in some warm water and stir until the salt is dissolved. Use a q tip or a cotton ball to clean the piercing and the surrounding area. Dry immediately afterward.

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Question

Should you rinse your ear after applying the saline solution?

Community Answer

No, the saline solution is what cleans and disinfects your ear. There is no need to rinse it off.

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Question

I got pierced 3 days ago, and it is swollen and throbbing. Is that normal?

Community Answer

Usually the pain stops after the first 24 hours or so, so it might be a good idea to have a doctor take a look at it.

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Question

What if I took a shower and did not dry my ears afterward?

Community Answer

If you just have water on the new earrings, nothing will happen. They will dry. However, if you didn't rinse off some soap/conditioner/etc., that might lead to an infection, so it's best to rinse carefully and dry each time you shower.

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Question

Is it okay to apply Vaseline to my new piercing?

Community Answer

No, you shouldn't apply Vaseline to your new piercing as it could irritate it.

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Question

Should I keep my piercing in while I clean it or take it out? I've only had it for 7 days.

Community Answer

7 days is not long enough for your new piercing to heal. Please keep your earring in for 6 weeks and clean around the earring until then.

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Question

I just pierced my ear two days ago, and I clean them twice a day, but I can't turn them when I'm cleaning. Other than turning, what can I do?

Community Answer

If they won't turn, try pushing them back and forth through the hole. If you don't turn them you risk the hole closing up around the earring, which is a pain to deal with.

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Question

How many times do I have to clean my earrings? How do I clean my earrings?

Community Answer

Clean them once a day for a month after you've been pierced. To clean them, take a cotton ball or cotton swab and dip it into rubbing alcohol. Gently tap against the ear on both sides of the piercing.

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Question

What do I do if the new piercing is getting pus & blood after 1 month?

Community Answer

Take out the earring, and let the piercing close. It's better to close the piercing than getting a really bad infection. After your ear is fully healed, think about what could have caused the infection. Try to use a different earring when you get your ear pierced the second time. The material that the pin of the earring was made of could have caused the infection.

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Question

Is it normal to have redness and tenderness two days after the piercing?

Community Answer

Yes. Continue to take good care of it, and visit the doctor if it starts to swell or pus.

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Question

I got my second piercing in the left ear, and I already have two in the right ear. The left one is not red but I see pus, and the other one is red and a bit swollen. Are they infected?

CrazyCatLady

Community Answer

Yes. Pus is always a sign of some sort of an infection. Talk to a doctor or your piercer.

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Question

My ears are not red or swollen, but pus is coming out. What should I do?

Community Answer

If you have no irritation, swelling, redness, etc., and there's only a small amount of pus, it's probably fine. Just clean it according to the instructions in the article. If there is a lot of pus, and/or you start experiencing any of the other symptoms of an infection, take the jewelry out and see your doctor.

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Question

What can I do about the pain?

Community Answer

Make sure it isn't infected. If it hurts a lot and it's red, swollen, or has any white discharge, see your doctor. The pain will subside in a few days, just take an over-the-counter pain reliever and try to avoid laying on that side.

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Question

My ears was pierced 2 years ago. It's totally healed, but there's a huge bump on it. What should i do?

Cocooorino

Community Answer

I’m guessing it’s a cartilage piercing. Those are called keloids. Apply tea tree oil to the bump. It should go away in a few weeks. If it doesn't, see your doctor.

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Question

i just got my double pierced on my right ear, is it normal to be tender and really sore after 24 hours?

Ashlynn V

Community Answer

Yes, a new piercing will always be sore for the first few days. Just make sure to keep taking proper precautions to prevent infection.

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Question

I had my ear lobe pierced 3 months ago and yet they still have crust and clear liquid? Is this normal?

Ashlynn V

Community Answer

A little bit is okay but you may have an infection starting. Check your earrings, if they're silver you may be allergic. A lot of people have very sensitive ears and can only wear gold earrings. If you're looking for a silver look, then try white gold instead.

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Question

Can I rotate newly pierce earring while cleaning?

Ashlynn V

Community Answer

Yes, you should rotate your earring in a circular motion day and night after cleaning. This helps to prevent infection and makes sure that the hole will not close.

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