Inflamed ear piercing – what to do? Your guide to irritated ear piercings

A new ear piercing or a freshly inserted earring – yay, a new eye-catcher! But what if the earlobe suddenly becomes red, swollen, or even festering? Don't panic! There's a solution.

Many people are familiar with the problem: an infected ear piercing! What should you do now? We've got you covered! In this article, you'll learn how to recognize an infected ear piercing, how to react correctly, and what you can do to prevent it from happening in the first place. We'll also give you tips on care, cleaning, and choosing the right jewelry.

Inflamed ear piercing – what exactly does that mean?

If the earlobe is infected, it is usually a reaction to minor skin injuries, such as those caused by new earrings, friction, pressure, or unsuitable (poor-quality) material. Typical symptoms include:

• Redness and overheating

• swollen earlobe

• Pain on touch

• possibly purulent discharge

• in some cases a pus lump or wild flesh

The skin can become sensitive, especially after the first piercing or when wearing costume jewelry. However, it's also possible for an ear piercing to become infected after years, for example, due to material intolerance or poor hygiene.

Infected ear piercing – what to do? The 5 most important immediate measures

If you notice that your ear piercing is infected, the key is to stay calm and then act quickly. Here's your step-by-step guide.

1. Don't touch constantly

We know this can be difficult at times, but avoid checking your earlobe constantly. The bacteria on your hands will worsen the earlobe infection.

2. Carefully clean earlobes

Use mild, alcohol-free cleaning solutions, such as saline solution or an antiseptic wound care product from a pharmacy. Important: Always clean ear piercings carefully; do not rub!

3. Disinfect earrings

If you leave the plug in (see next point), please clean it. You can find out more about this in our article on how to properly clean gold jewelry .

Inflamed ear piercing – plug in or out?

It depends entirely. The rule of thumb: If the infection is mild, it's best to leave the earring in – otherwise, the hole could close up. If the pain is severe or pus is present, it's better to remove it, disinfect it, and inspect the ear hole.

The answer depends entirely on the condition. If your ear piercing is only slightly red, but not oozing or throbbing, it may help to continue wearing the stud—provided you clean and disinfect it regularly.

However, if an ear piercing is festering, a pus lump develops, or you experience severe pain, you should remove the earring, clean the area, and possibly avoid wearing any jewelry for a few days. Caution: If symptoms persist, you should always seek medical advice.

Infected ear piercing – pus, lump or even wild flesh?

When a small, hard lump forms or tissue grows, it's called "wild flesh" around the earlobe. While this isn't dangerous, it can be uncomfortable and persistent. It's important to leave the affected ear alone, disinfect it regularly, and seek professional advice if in doubt.

Also important: Never squeeze an ear piercing with a pus lump! This can worsen the infection. Instead, disinfect, cool, and monitor the ear. If it doesn't improve after two to three days, please consult your doctor.

Slightly inflamed ear – what to do in children?

Many kids love earrings! It's all the more frustrating when an ear piercing becomes infected. Because an infected ear piercing in children requires special care. Make sure your little one doesn't constantly touch or pull on the earring. Gently clean the ear piercing with a lint-free cloth and a mild solution. For severe or persistent symptoms, it's better to see a pediatrician too often than too little. Safety first!

Tip: Only use nickel-free jewelry for children's ears. You can find more information in the article "Nickel allergy and earrings – what you should know ."

Disinfect earrings and care for them properly – here's how

Prevention is key. This way, you can avoid an earring becoming infected. And the question "what to do?" doesn't even arise. Our tips for relaxed, infection-free adornment:

• Always clean new earrings before wearing them for the first time.

• Disinfect your earrings! Regularly, and especially after extended breaks, is the motto.

• Avoid low-quality costume jewelry containing nickel or other incompatible materials.

• When getting new ear piercings, only wear materials that are compatible with your body, such as (recycled) gold or titanium.

• If you have a fresh piercing, avoid using makeup, creams, or hairspray near it.

• Clean your ear piercings! Make sure your ear piercings are cleaned thoroughly and regularly.

If you're wondering how to recognize high-quality jewelry, take a look at our guide What is real jewelry?

How do you know when an ear piercing has healed?

A (new) ear piercing is considered healed when:

• there is no more redness or swelling

• no more wound secretions

• the earring can be moved easily without feeling of pressure

• the tissue feels stable

With new piercings, this can take several weeks, sometimes even months. Even with fully healed ear piercings, the following applies: take care of them gently, clean them regularly, and don't force them. Stay calm!

My earring is infected. What should I do? Now I know!

An infected ear piercing is unpleasant, but in most cases, it's nothing to worry about. It's important to react early, take consistent care of it, and take a break from jewelry if necessary.

And the best part: With the right care and high-quality jewelry made of recycled gold, silver, or titanium, the question “Earring infected – what to do?” often doesn’t even arise.

Disclaimer

The content in this blog post has been carefully compiled and is intended to provide general lifestyle and health advice. However, it is not a substitute for consulting a doctor. If you have any health-related questions or concerns, please always consult a qualified professional. Use of this information is at your own risk; we assume no liability for any damage or health problems that may arise from its use.