I got my cartilage pierced 9 months ago, with a needle not gun. Just recently it has gotten crusty and I've cleaned it. I occasionally pick the crust off throughout the day. Now it is tender and slightly swollen around the piercing only- just a little donut looking ring around the front. Is that normal, what can I do to help the soreness and swelling? What causes this?

Hmmm. You seems to be doing all the right things? What are you cleaning it with? Hydrogen Peroxide? If you are, STOP! Use sea salt soaks - these help to soothe piercing. Also, have you been fiddling with it a lot, this can cause infection. You shouldn't be picking of the crusties! This can cause an infection too! I'm a picker too, but it only worsens the situation. If it seems to get worse, go to your gp or piercer. DON'T TAKE IT OUT THOUGH! This will trap anything that needs to naturally drain out in the process.