It has begun hurting again--I've had almost no pain, and I got it pierced last week--and I'm slightly concerned that I may end up with infection, so I'd like to treat it with salt water before using the benzalkonium chloride. But due to its placement, cleaning it with a Q-tip, even is very awkward and I am sick of not being able to clean it properly. Is there a chance that I could take the earring out for a few minutes, swab it (probably roughly and thoroughly) and then replace it?

Would that be problematic?

From my experience when an earring is taking out for only a couple of minutes the hole starts to close a little so the best way to do is to just clean it with it in until you are at least 3 weeks.