I had mine done yesterday and it didn't hurt when I got it done but today its hurting, it's a big red and I don't have any cleaning stuff so what do I use instead? And how many times do I clean it?

Hi. So, in 2007 I pierced my own with a knife tip in the cartilage of my left ear. Back then it got infected and I didn't know what to do. My parents were threatening to make me take it out, but I'd read that when your piercing gets infected, it's better to leave the earring in.
The hole never really closed up, it had closed a little, but last night I put the earring back in. it's surgical stainless steel for sensitive ears. The ear itself throbs every so often and it's red. From what I've read, this sounds normal (?).
Could I clean my ears with a watered down solution of antiseptic liquid? Like dettol? It's what I used for my lobes (two piercings in each). Anyone have a better idea other than salt and water? Don't want to use that if I don't have to.
Then again, I'm not expert and I still haven't told anyone yet that I've stuck the earring back in.

Hey big misstake! Claire's uses a gun and it will shatter the cartilage.
You should go to a tattoo/piercing shop and have a reallty expierienced
Person pierce it with a needle.

DON'T TOUCH IT WHEN UR HANDS
AREN'T CLEAN!!

So I got my cartilage pierced 4 days ago, on my right ear, and the whole ear is red! Is this normal? It hurts a little, I can twist the earring, but pushing it back and forth hurts! Any suggestions?

So I got my ear pieced like 4ish days ago, an I can twist the earring, but pushing it back and forth hurts, and my whole right ear is red? Is this normal? What should I do? There isn't anything coming out of the hole?

It's best to use a sea salt and distilled water solution to clean your piercings, a brand called H2Ocean is readily available in most shops, and Spencers might carry this as well, which is where I buy mine. It's not like pouring salt in the wound, it won't hurt. Bactine is a big NO-NO. It's not intended for puncture wounds which is what a piercing is. Professionals will recommend that you use a sea salt solution. So while you might not want to, H2Ocean is the most readily available solution that helps clean your piercings.

For the main question, don't use anti-septics like Bactine, these are actually detrimental to the healing process because your ear will secrete fluids that contain plasma from your blood and lymph fluids, not PUSS, though they look similar. These fluids help heal your 'wound'. It's better to use a sea salt solution because it actually wipes away the excess fluid that may build up around the piercing without using the harsh chemicals in anti-septic sprays. Like I said in my previous post, H2Ocean is a readily available sea salt solution, it won't hurt or burn when you use it, it heals maintain the flesh inside of the piercing so it will continue it's healing process without the harsh chemicals. Initial soreness after a piercing will generally last between 4 to 7 days, but that's with a needle.

Piercing guns aren't as bad as people make them to be, but they definitely cause more discomfort during the healing process because guns use blunt force to push the stud in and the needles, while they may be scary, are a much better way to have your cartilage pierced in the long run. Also, when you have a new piercing, DO NOT PLAY WITH IT. This will prolong the healing process even further.

Try not to touch it or rather play with it for the first week or 2, and when you clean it, use a Q-Tip with some of the sea salt solution gently to wipe away fluid build up or ear wax or whatever. Clean the piercing on average between 3 -5 times a day. Try to avoid sleeping on your new piercing, because you do move around when you sleep, and your body will try to heal itself the most when you are sleeping. If it helps, you can prop your head with your arm underneath it to prevent your head from moving during sleep, which is what I do because I'm healing from an industrial piercing right now.

Be sure to not allow your hair to air dry on the piercing after you shower, try to towel dry your hair as much as possible because if the water stands on your piercing, it can be easier to become infected that way. Just have common sense about keeping your piercing clean and clear of obvious infections. Handle with care and your piercing will be fine in no time at all.

Also, up your intake of vitamins to help speed along your recovery, drink some apple or orange juice or eat some fruit. Eat right and keep yourself healthy. Good luck to you and your piercing.

Resources:
My Piercer
Personal care of own piercings (3 Helixes and an Industrial)

Have mine with just an 18g. Im using a hoop and yeah its going to be a little painful. My advice is just not to touch it unless you are cleaning it. Although they tell you to spin it a lot, you really. It just allows the bacteria and stuff to get turned into your piercing. Only attempt to spin it a few times when you are cleaning it.. Also I use Sea Salt soaks. Just take 1/4 tsp and mix in with 8 oz of boiled water. Wait for the water to cool and just soak your ear in it for about 5-10 min. Don't use table salt and do this about twice a day. The sea salt can help heal faster and clean your piercing.

I got my cartilage peirced about a week ago. The pain isn't that bad any more. I clean it every day wit a cottan swab and alcohol. Be sure to turn it everyday and make sure your hand are clean when you touch it to prevent infection. I got mine peirced with a gun. It probably made it eisier for me to turn because it had room. Anyway bye >_<

I've had my cartilage for a week now.. I dot know if what they used was considered a gun, it was a little white plastic tube that held the stud and the piercer used her own strength to get the piercing through somewhat like how you'd have with a needle.. Anyway, it started to get painful and swollen on the third day and I went back to get it checked out. She made me purchase their after solution but after about 2days I stopped and swapped to himalayan salt soak which I whipped up in my kitchen.. It's working really well and the swelling went down by quite a bit.. Doesn't hurt much anymore.. Try getting himalayan salt.. The packaging says it's great for wounds and baths and all..

:)