Ear Piercing Aftercare

Ear piercing is a practise that dates back hundreds of years in human history. It is one of the types of body piercings that is in extremely high demand.

Ear lobe piercing is by far the most common form of body modification involving the ears. Numerous other types of ear piercings, such as helix piercing, cartilage piercing, rook piercing, and tragus piercing, among others, are becoming increasingly common in today’s times.

During an ear-piercing procedure, the ear piercing technician will use a sharp instrument to create a hole in the ear lobe or the tragus, etc., in order to accommodate the earring.

An indwelling cannula, a small mechanical piercing gun, a standard needle, a dermal punching gadget, and a few other types of devices are a few examples of the common types of instruments that technicians use to perform ear piercing procedures.

Prior to getting their ears pierced, it is essential for people to make sure that the piercing instrument and any other tools used are sterilized, and that the technician has taken all the necessary precautions to prevent problems such as infection of the piercing or other similar issues. Only then, should they get their ears pierced.

The use of a piercing device that has not been properly sterilized poses a risk not only of infection but also of other diseases.

In addition to this, you need to make sure that the technician has completed all of the required training and is a qualified piercer.

Also, check to see that the technician’s workplace is tidy and free of any potential health hazards.

It is more likely for your ear piercing to become infected if you are in an unclean environment because bacteria and other disease-causing germs thrive in unclean environments.

Before getting an ear piercing procedure done, you are required to inform the technician of any metal allergies you have, in the event that you have any. For example, if you are allergic to silver, you will need to avoid getting your ears pierced.

Earrings made of surgical stainless steel or titanium are recommended by most technicians for patients with sensitive ears because these metals are the least likely to provoke an allergic reaction of any kind.

Irritation, itching sensation, inflammation, redness, swelling and excessive lymph fluid discharge from the pierced site are some of the symptoms of an infected ear piercing. Other symptoms include an abnormally large discharge of lymph fluid from the pierced site.

If any of these symptoms are present, or if you suspect that you have an infection related to your ear piercing, you should refrain from removing the ear jewellery on your own because doing so can make the infection and the wound worse.

It would be best for you to consult a technician or a physician about this matter.

How long does it take for ear piercing to heal?

In most cases, it takes between eight and ten weeks for a piercing in the earlobe or in any other part of the ear to heal completely.

It may take longer for certain types of ear piercings to heal than others.

Before getting the piercing done, it is important to discuss the recovery period with the technician.

During the time it takes for the wound to heal, it will be extremely tender, and there will be an increased risk of infection.

In order to perform any kind of body piercing, a wound must first be physically created somewhere on the body.

To ensure the proper healing of any wound, it is necessary for the wound to be attended to and cared for.

Maintaining impeccable hygiene is one of the most important things to do to ensure that a wound, such as one caused by ear piercing, heals properly.

A lack of even a mild infection in the piercing can be prevented by practising good hygiene and following the aftercare instructions provided. This will make the healing process simpler and more expedient, and it will not be long before you are able to change and wear the piece of ear jewellery that you have always wanted to wear.

Ear Piercing Aftercare Tips

Aftercare instructions for ear piercings are included in the following list. You must ust abide by them in order to avoid getting infections or any other kinds of problems:

• After the piercing procedure, the ear may experience some mild discomfort for a period of time ranging from three to five days. You might find that taking some over-the-counter pain relievers helps (after discussing this with the technician, of course). If the pain is severe, it is best to seek medical attention.

• For the first three to four weeks after getting the piercing done, you should clean the area at least once a day.

• When cleaning the area, use a soap that is antibacterial and antiseptic.

• Throughout the day and night, our hands move through a variety of environments that are contaminated with bacteria. Before cleaning the ear piercing, it is essential to first ensure that the hands have been thoroughly washed. It is possible to get an infection or a piercing if you don’t wash your hands.

• It is feasible to clean the ear area when you are in the shower. It is best to clean one’s ears right before getting out of the shower. Make sure that the soap foam or soap water that you use to wash your face does not get into your ears when you are taking a shower.

• Paper towels should be used to thoroughly dry the ears. When drying the ear piercings, you should avoid using a washcloth or a towel. Even a clean towel has the potential to harbor bacteria, which can significantly increase the likelihood of contracting an infection. Make sure that the piercings and the ears are completely dry by tapping them with a towel. Even minute amounts of water that seep into the wound, can create the ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, which can lead to infection.

• Every three to four days, you should switch to a new set of pillowcases. If you think the pillowcase is dirty, you should consider changing it sooner rather than later. Because of this, bacteria and other infectious agents will not be able to proliferate and cause infections.

• Consume a diet that is well-rounded, healthy, and abundant in a variety of vegetables, fruits, proteins, vitamins, and other important nutrients. Healing of the ear piercing will proceed more quickly if the body and mind are in better health.

• The healing process can be sped up and made significantly better by applying a few drops of coconut oil directly to the wound. When you clean the piercing on a daily basis, the skin around the puncture site can become dry, tight, and stretched, which can eventually cause some discomfort. The application of coconut oil helps prevent the condition as well as the pain. Additionally, the oil makes it much simpler to break up any crusts that might form on the skin. When applying the oil, rotate the earring in a circular motion while doing so so that it can penetrate the hole completely.

• It is important to refrain from applying any type of ointment, topical lotion, or even tea tree oil to the piercing.

• It is important to avoid using alcohol, witch hazel, or hydrogen peroxide, as these substances can leave scars on the delicate skin of the ear.

• When caring for your hair with products such as shampoos, hairsprays, and hair gels, take extra precautions to ensure that the piercing does not come into cont act with any of these items.These products contain components that have the potential to aggravate existing inflammation and discomfort caused by ear piercings.

• During the time that it takes for your wound to heal, you should consider switching to products that do not contain any dyes or fragrances.

• Supplemental zinc and vitamin B intake has been shown to hasten the healing process of skin that has been punctured. In addition to that, multivitamins are strongly suggested.

• Take precautions to avoid getting your hair caught in your earring jewelry in the first place, as the trauma caused by extracting tangled hair from a pierced ear can lead to skin damage, an increase in tenderness, and a delay in the healing process.

• Except for when the area is being cleaned, you are not allowed to touch or fiddle with the earring in any way. Do not tamper with the piece on the back of the jewelry unless you notice that it is either too loose or too tight. The risk of infection is increased when the back pieces are tightened to an excessive degree, which can also impede blood circulation.

• Bacteria and other potentially infectious agents thrive in public phones. Avoid using them at all costs.

• Earphones, headphones, and any other type of device that requires prolonged contact with the ear should be avoided until the healing process is finished.

• Even if there is an infection at the site, you should not try to remove the earring on your own. In the event that it needs to be removed, only a medical professional or your piercer should do so. It is in the best interest of the healing process to keep the jewelry on while it is being done.

• Avoid swimming. If you want to go swimming, you should do so for a limited amount of time in a pool that has been properly chlorinated and is clean. Avoid getting wet in the sea at all costs.

• In the event that the piercing site develops a minor wound, you should wash it with tepid water. After placing a few drops of antibacterial liquid soap in the piercing site with a dropper, gently rotating the earring or other piece of jewellery will help ensure that the soap is distributed evenly throughout the piercing. Allow the soap to sit there undisturbed for a few minutes. During this time, you should carefully remove any crust that you may see around the hole or wound. Crusting typically occurs as a result of the discharge of lymph,which is a perfectly normal occurrence.   By removing the crusts, one can help prevent the accumulation of dirt, germs, and other potentially infectious   particles, and consequently, infections. You can also try using salt water to make removing the crust much simpler. Wash the ear piercing with clean water to remove any trace of soap and thoroughly clean the area. While you are rinsing the soap off your hands, slowly rotate the earring. When all of the soap has been cleaned, you can stop.

Authoritative Clinical References

Ear Piercing – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1764962/

Rising incidence of perichondritis of the pinna and high ear piercing – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1120071/