I got my ear pierced ( cartilage) last march 14. It was actually a gun-pierced. On the first two days, it was still OK but on the third day, it began to swell. I'm also encountering redness and I' ve seen some yellowish discharge on it. My classmate told me that its not just reddish. Its like purplish in color. I don't know what to do. Can you help me heal it. Thank you.

Take the piercing out if it's really bad.

If it's not bad or for some reason you insist on keeping it in. You need to clean it often, maybe every three hours or so. The best way to do this is to use isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. It's especially important to make sure that the earring is clean. Also you need to rotate the earring every time you clean your ear- if you don't have a rotatable earring (aka a stud) get one; they should have done it with a stud in the first place.

If you apply pressure to the hole and there's purulent discharge (pus) this is a definite sign of infection and you need to be extra cautious to not only remove the pus and keep the thing clean. If the pus is excessive or you don't feel comfortable removing it go see your doctor.

If you develop a fever, if it persists, or becomes worse- GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!! The infection could spread to your blood causing sepsis, shock, and even meningitis: all of which are life threatening.

WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT TAKE OUT THE EARRING. I f you do, you are trapping the infection and making it even worse. Just keep an eye for another couple of days,then go to the doctor immedialely. Gun piercings are bad news. And also, don't touch it. Touching it can rage the infection and make it even worse.