Steph Simpson

Ear piercings have been popular for literally hundreds upon hundreds of years, for a variety of different reasons. Some people would opt to have their ears pierced for fashion reasons, whilst others would have it done for cultural and traditional reasons, or as a rite of passage perhaps. Nowadays in the modern world, the main reason why people choose to have their ears pierced is for fashion reasons, in order to enhance their appearance. Whilst a vast majority of ear piercings are absolutely fine, some have been known to cause pain, swelling, rashes, and itching in some instances. But why is this? First and foremost, it’s vital that you choose a professional piercer that knows exactly what they’re doing, and has access to the right equipment. One of the main reasons why some earrings cause pain and itching however, is down to infection setting in, but what exactly is ear piercing infection, and what causes it? Well, let’s take a look, shall we?

What is ear piercing infection? – Basically, from a medical point of view, ear piercing infection sets in due to complications resulting from the actual ear piercing itself. Ear piercing infections are actually pretty common, and, whilst causing a number of pretty unpleasant side effects, it is not too serious or life threatening. Despite this, it must be treated as soon as possible in order to not only reduce the risk of further infections setting in, but to also reduce the risk of further complications and side effects as well. Children and teenagers are at a much higher risk of suffering from infection as their immune systems will not necessarily be running and functioning at full capacity, leaving their bodies more susceptible to infection.

What are the general side effects of ear piercing infections? – Ear piercing infections can lead to a wide variety of different side effects and complications, which is why they should be treated and dealt with as soon as possible. Failing to do so can only exasperate the condition and can lead to the infection spreading in other parts of the ear. General side effects of ear piercing infections include:

  • Painful swelling
  • Severe itching
  • Tenderness of the entire ear
  • Build ups of fluid and pus
  • Burning and tingling sensation
  • Rash

What are some of the main causes of infection? – There are a number of different causes of infection in newly pierced ears, including, but not being limited to:

  • The use of dirty or un-sterilized equipment to perform the ear piercing
  • A rough or uneven piece of earring jewelry which may scratch the piercing and surrounding area
  • The use of over tightened earrings which may constrict circulation
  • Touching the piercing with dirty hands
  • Bacteria making its way into the open wound
  • Allergic reactions to the metals used in the earrings
  • Failing to properly clean and maintain the piercing following the initial procedure

How to properly treat ear piercing infections – As mentioned, the main reason why some earrings cause pain and itching is because of an ear piercing infection, or the early onset of ear piercing infection. To help to dramatically reduce the uncomfortable pain and itching associated with these infections, it is recommended that you treat the issue as soon as possible. The good news is that there are a number of different ways to deal with these infections, including:

Antibiotics – One of the best treatments for any infection is with the use of antibiotics, and that is especially apparent in the case of ear piercing infections. Antibiotics will be prescribed by your local doctor, and, when taken regularly, should fight and clear up the infection within a matter of weeks.

Home remedies – Home remedies are also very effective at dealing with these infections, when you select the right options of course. Non-iodized salt solutions are especially useful as they’re simple to mix, easy to apply, and work right away. Epsom salt solutions are also very useful.

Ice cubes – Rubbing ice cubes on an infected ear piercing is also a great way of reducing painful swelling and itching.

Preventive measures – Prevention is the best form of treatment for ear piercing infections, with some of the best preventive measures including: Washing hands thoroughly – As mentioned, one of the main causes of infection is bacteria making its way into open wounds, which is often a result of touching the piercing with dirty hands. To help keep bacteria out of piercings, keeping your hands clean is ideal, just make sure you use an anti-bacterial soap. Removing earrings from infected piercings is also essential as failing to do so can hinder and slow down the healing process.