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Home remedies to clear up infections, plus guidance on when it’s time to go to the doctor
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Those new earrings sure look cute—but why is your ear feeling swollen, red, or irritated? The likely cause is an infection, which is pretty common, especially in new ear piercings. Fortunately, with the right home care and cleaning, you can typically clear up an infection on your own. Read on to learn how to take care of an infected ear piercing, as well as when it’s time to see your doctor.
Best Home Remedies for Infected Ear Piercings
Wash your hands, then gently clean the infected piercing with a saline solution. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to speed up healing time, and use a warm compress to soothe any pain. See your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than 48 hours.
Steps
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Wash your hands before handling the infected area. Your hands can spread dirt or bacteria that might worsen your infection. Before cleaning or treating the area, wash your hands using warm water and soap. [1] X Research source- Infected piercings can be caused by touching your ear with dirty hands, so it’s important to give them a quick wash every time you touch your piercing.
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Clean the infected area with a saline solution. To make a saline solution , mix 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of salt into a 1 cup (237 ml) of warm water. Dab a sterile cotton ball or gauze into the solution and gently sweep it over both sides of the ear at the site of the piercing. Do this twice a day to keep the area clean. [2] X Research source- The area may sting slightly when you use the solution, but it won’t be very painful.
- Avoid using rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based solutions on the infected area, as these can irritate the area and delay healing.
- Gently pat the area dry afterwards with a paper towel, tissue, or cotton swab. Avoid using a towel, as it might irritate the ear.
- If both ears are infected, use a different swab or gauze for each ear.
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Apply an antibacterial ointment to heal infections. After cleaning the area, apply OTC antibacterial ointment around the piercing and on the earring itself. Continue to use antibiotic ointment for up to 7 days. [3] X Research source- Leave the earring in your ear unless you’re told otherwise by a doctor. Removing the earring can irritate your earlobe more, leading to more swelling and redness.
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Apply a warm compress to your ear to help relieve pain. To make a warm compress , soak a washcloth in warm water or a warm saline solution. Press the cloth over your ear for 3-4 minutes. Repeat as needed for pain relief throughout the day. [4] X Research source- Afterwards, dry your ear gently by patting it down with a paper towel or tissue.
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Go to the doctor if your symptoms last more than 48 hours. Serious complications can result from an untreated ear infection. If your ear is still sore, red, or oozing pus after a week, make an appointment with your primary care physician. If you have any of the following symptoms, make an appointment: [5] X Research source- Red, swollen, or throbbing ear
- Warmth on the area
- Discharge or pus from the piercing
- Fever or chills
- Infections usually develop within 2-4 weeks after the initial piercing, although it is possible to develop an infection even years after getting your ears pierced. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Apply a prescription cream if your doctor gives you one. If your infection is moderate but not severe, you may just need a prescription antibiotic cream. Follow your doctor’s instructions when applying to clear up your infection fast. [7] X Research source- If your infection is very minor, you may just need to use an OTC cream for longer. Your doctor will tell you exactly what to do.
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Take oral antibiotics for more serious infections. If you have a fever or if your infection is severe, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic pill instead. Take the pill according to your doctor’s instructions. Remember to take the full course of antibiotics, even if your infection seems to go away. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source- Pills are usually needed if you have a cartilage piercing that has become infected, but they can also be used for earlobe piercings.
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Get an abscess drained if it has formed. An abscess is a wound with a large build-up of pus. If you have an abscess, your doctor will drain the wound. This is an outpatient procedure that may be done on the same day as your first visit. [9] X Research source- Your doctor may apply a warm compress to your ear to drain the abscess or they may make an incision in the abscess.
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Stop touching the ear or piercing unless necessary. If you are not cleaning the wound or removing the piercing, don’t touch your ear. Avoid using clothing or devices too close to your infected ear as well. [10] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source- If you have long hair, keep your hair up in a bun or ponytail so that it doesn’t hang by your ears.
- Avoid sleeping on your piercing if possible. Keep your bed sheets and pillow cases clean to avoid spreading the infection.
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Avoid swimming until the piercing heals. Generally, you should not swim for 6 weeks after getting your piercing. Chlorinated or dirty water can irritate the piercing more, which delays healing. [11] X Research source- If you’re already dealing with an infection, stay out of the water until the infection clears up.
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Wear hypoallergenic jewelry if you have a nickel sensitivity. In some cases, your piercing might be irritated because of an allergy, not an infection. In this case, start wearing earrings made out of sterling silver, gold, surgical steel, or another nickel-free material. These are less likely to cause a reaction. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source- Allergies may appear as dry, red, or itchy skin around the site of the piercing.
- Continuing to wear nickel jewelry if you have an allergy can increase your risk of infection.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionI just got my second hole pierced on my bottom lobe. My ear does not burn, but feels itchy. Is that a sign of infection?Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.You may be experiencing symptoms of atopic dermatitis or allergic metal contact dermatitis, which increase the risk for developing bacterial skin infections. If the symptoms are intense, don’t resolve within couple of days or worsen, see your medical provider for further evaluation.
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QuestionWhat do I do if my upper lobe piercing is sore to the touch?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.A piercing can be sore until it heals. Be sure to keep it clean and follow your piercer's instructions. You can also try a warm compress or an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you have redness, soreness, or pus, contact your healthcare provider to make sure that you don't have an infection.
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QuestionDoes a crust around the piercing mean that it is infected?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.A honey-colored crust around your new piercing is a part of the normal healing process. Is not an infection if you don't have pus, redness, or pain.
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Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Avoid wearing hats and scarves because they can rub against or get caught in your earring. This hurts even when you don't have an infection (but it hurts a lot more if you do).
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Warnings
- If you have an infection in your ear cartilage, then see a doctor as soon as possible. Infected cartilage may develop scar tissue if not treated promptly by a doctor.Thanks
- If you have signs of a severe infection, like a fever, chills, or other flu-like symptoms, see your doctor for treatment right away.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
- ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
- ↑ https://pediaclinic.net/Ear-Pierced-Healed-Minor-Infection
- ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abk1292
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1781501/
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abk1292
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/1115/p2029.html
- ↑ https://www.chop.edu/treatments/abscess-drainage
About This Article
Article Summary
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The first thing you should do if your ear piercing is infected is remove any crustiness with a cotton swab soaked in antibacterial soap or saline solution. Then, mix 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and 3 spoonfuls of salt and apply the mixture to your infected piercing with a cotton swab. Hold a warm, moist compress against your ear for 20 minutes every day to help clear out the pus. Stay out of pools, lakes, rivers, or hot tubs until your infection is gone, and see your doctor if your infection persists. To learn more from our Medical Expert co-author, like how to prevent infections when you get your ears pierced, keep reading the article!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,407,904 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "It helped all the way around, plus with piercing site infections. I've dreaded taking out the earrings for good but found out it could worsen the infection by not providing an escape outlet for the infection- i.e. pus. " ..." more
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"It helped all the way around, plus with piercing site infections. I've dreaded taking out the earrings for good but found out it could worsen the infection by not providing an escape outlet for the infection- i.e. pus. "
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"wikiHow mentioned the use of Polysporin. This product was in my household as a very young girl, then in my home, and now my grandchildren use it. Excellent suggestion for earlobe infection."
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"I have an interest in wearing a stud in my left ear. Even though I cleaned, ear is getting infected frequently. I have read the article, it's really useful to prevent such cases."
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"Everything helped! I wasn't sure whether to remove the piercing or not if infected ,and this article really helped, especially the Q & A."
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"Thank you, I noticed small lumps below my ear lobe, which caused me worries; now I know I have to see a doctor."
