Q&A for How to Clean a Cartilage Piercing

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Question

How can I make my cartilage piercing heal faster?

Sasha Blue
Professional Body Piercer
Sasha Blue is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sasha has over 20 years of professional body piercing experience, starting with her apprenticeship in 1997. She is licensed with the County of San Francisco in California.

Sasha Blue

Professional Body Piercer

Expert Answer

Avoid touching and irritating the piercing as much as possible. Also, steer clear of over-the-ear headphones while your piercing heals.

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Question

Should I twist my cartilage piercing?

Sasha Blue
Professional Body Piercer
Sasha Blue is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sasha has over 20 years of professional body piercing experience, starting with her apprenticeship in 1997. She is licensed with the County of San Francisco in California.

Sasha Blue

Professional Body Piercer

Expert Answer

Twisting a piercing is never a good idea. Touching your piercing will only irritate the area and extend your healing time. Plus, you could set yourself up for an infection if you touch the piercing with dirty hands.

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Question

What can I do if I have pain when my piercing is touched?

Community Answer

It is okay. It may hurt for the first few days, but then it will gradually heal. Your best bet is to try to avoid touching it.

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Question

A crust regularly forms around my piercing. Should I clean it or leave it alone?

Community Answer

This is normal during the healing of many piercings. Gently wipe it away during your normal piercing cleaning routine.

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Question

How do I clean a cartilage hoop?

Community Answer

It's best to make a sea salt solution. Mix up a cup of water with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Then, get a Q-tip and soak it in the solution. Rub the Q-tip around the back and the front of your helix piercing, moving the ring slightly to get the solution into the piercing. Or use a clean anti-bacterial soap and clean the same, but use the cup full of water to rinse it out.

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Question

How do I stop the pain from a cartilage piercing?

Community Answer

Use a small amount of ice for short periods of time to help numb the area. You can also take anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. ibuprofen) to help manage the pain.

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Question

Should it hurt when I twist my hoop cartilage piercing?

Community Answer

If your helix has recently been pierced, then it is common to feel pain. However, after about a week or two, there should be little to no pain when handling the piercing.

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Question

When I clean my piercing, do I rotate the bar to clean the inside of the cartilage?

Community Answer

No, you should not twist your cartilage piercing as this can prevent healing. Just wiping the cleaning solution over the front and back of the piercing should be enough.

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Question

My cartilage piercing has a big bump and I can't get it to go away. What can I do?

Community Answer

This bump is known as a keloid. Normally, it's nothing serious but in order to get it to go away, either apply tea tree oil twice a week just to the bump (keep it away from the piercing) or get really warm, but not scalding water and put 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt (non-iodized) and dip a cotton swab into the water. Then, put it on the keloid and hold it there for a few minutes. Do this when you clean your helix piercing.

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Question

Can an earring be put pack after taking it out?

Community Answer

Yes, but best to sterilize it first, in boiling water or in a saline solution.

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Question

How can I tell if a cartilage piercing is infected?

Community Answer

You may notice red streaks, itching, swelling, excessive pus, burning or feeling hot. If you have any of these, contact your doctor immediately.

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Question

Can I use surgical spirits instead of the salt water?

Community Answer

You can, but many may have harsh chemicals that could irritate the piercing.

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Question

I got my middle cartilage pierced 6 days ago. Can I take it out for a short time to clean the area?

Community Answer

It would not be recommended. Cleaning around the area is fine, though as the piercing is still fresh.

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Question

I was told to clean my Daith Piercing twice a day for 2 weeks. If I still have a little crust around piercing can I clean it for longer than 2 weeks?

Community Answer

Yes, you may continue to clean it for as long as you'd like.

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Question

Do I have to stick my ear into the sea salt mixture, or can I use a Q tip instead?

Community Answer

Do both. Just make sure you don't get any of those little cotton strings from the Q tip stuck to your earring.

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Question

What should I do if my cartilage piercing has pus in it and the hole has gotten bigger? There was also a bump a few months after getting the piercing.

Community Answer

That sounds like an infection, I recommend you go to the doctor.

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Question

Should I rotate my cartridge earring every day, or just put saline on it three times a day?

Community Answer

Just clean it two to three times a day. Rotating it can prevent the piercing from healing.

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Question

I have a bump on my cartilage and I took it out would it close up I'm worried !

Community Answer

The piercing should be left in to help the area drain. A doctor will be able to tell you if your piercing needs to be removed or left in.

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Question

How long should I clean my helix piercing for?

Community Answer

You should clean your helix piercing for at least 6 to 9 months.

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Question

Is it normal for a new cartilage piercing to bleed?

Community Answer

It depends. Don't be too concerned if the bleeding occurs within a few days of getting the piercing. A small amount, especially if it's been irritated or if you've been cleaning it, isn't something to worry about. However, a lot of bleeding isn't normal.

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Question

What can I use to clean my piercing besides sea salt?

Community Answer

You can use saline solution. You can buy this at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, or anywhere that sells first aid. You can also ask your piercer for their solution.

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Question

Is it OK to use anti-septic wipes to clean my piercing?

Saniyah Bryant

Community Answer

No, do not use anything besides a sea salt solution or a saline solution spray to clean your piercing. Anything else will be too harsh.

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Question

How long do I need to wait before changing my ring?

Community Answer

Leave it until six to eight weeks, then it's OK to change your ring to what you choose.

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Question

If I don't have sea salt, could I use regular salt?

Community Answer

Regular salt will not be as strong, but it should still do the trick.

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Question

Should I rotate the bar while cleaning my cartilage piercing?

Community Answer

Yes, it helps prevent the skin from healing around and sticking to the piercing. You should twist it once a day.

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Question

How long does it take the bumps to go away?

Community Answer

The time it takes for bumps to go away will depend on how regularly you clean your piercing and whether or not it is infected. If you experience severe pain at the site, yellow or green discharge, or excessive bleeding, contact your doctor immediately.

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Question

Can I clean my cartilage piercing with surgical spirit?

Community Answer

You should ask your piercer about what would be safe for you to clean your piercing with.

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Question

Can I use boiled tap water instead of distilled water for sea salt soaks?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it is boiled and rid of any impurities.

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Question

If my ears are gauged, can I clean them the same way with my gauges off?

Community Answer

Yes, you can soak your ears with warm water and sea salt for 5-10 minutes.

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Question

Can I use ear piercing cleaner for my nose piercing?

Community Answer

If you mean the sea salt sprays, you can use it on the outside, but no need to clean inside your nose - your body does it for you. Just clean the outside lightly. The less you touch or move it the better.

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