I got my first cartilage earring done about a year and a half ago. Then, I got another one about 6 months ago, and it got infected, so I took it out. After it healed all the way, I got another one. It was doing grea the first few months, but now its red, swollen and it hurts really bad if I accidentally bump it or if I lay on it. I have had it for about 4 months now. So my question is, how can I take care of the infection without taking it out?

The worst thing you can do for an infected cartillidge piercing is take it out. You need to make sure you don't sleep on it at all or ever have any pressure on it. Clean it with salt water or ear piercing solution. Keep hair away from it and if you use hair spray cover your ear before spraying. Another thing could be your ear not liking the size of the piercing or the material. Mine would not heal with a 14 gauge but was fine with a 16?