I got my cartilage peirced about 7 months ago and I still have trouble with it sometimes. Every once in a while it gets really sore and gets a swollen bump on the back. I don't know if I should or not but I poke the bump with a clean needle and it oozes puss first and then bright red blood. I clean the spot really well then and let it heal and it is just fine for a few weeks and then it happens again. (it has only been doing this recently, not the whole 7 months) I had it done in a clean licensed peircing place and they used a sterling sliver hoop. What is going on? Is my ear rejecting the peircing? I am planing on getting another peircing in the other ear soon. Should I wait until this peircing figures out what it is doing?

First of all, stop poking it with a needle!!!! I know it seems like if you drain it, it will be OK, but there is no way possible you are sterilizing that needle enough to put into your skin, and that could lead too much bigger causes for concern, such as infection.

I need to know a few things before I can answer you.

1. What are you cleaning it with?

2. How often do you clean it?

3. How often do you change the jewelry?

4. Do you sleep on the side that your ear is pierced on?

5. Have you injured it at all in the past? (Bumped it, smacked it, etc.)

I sterilize the needle with rubbing alcohol... still not enough?

1. I clean it with soap and water when I'm in the shower... and hydrogen peroxide when it gets yucky like it does.

2. every day when I'm in the shower... and when it gets yucky like it does.

3. I never change it. I do take it out for a bit every now and then but put the same hoop in after I clean it with rubbing alcohol.

4. I do sleep on it sometimes... can't help it if I roll on it in my sleep... doesn't bother me that bad that I wake up if I roll on it though.

5. when I had my hair cut the lady yanked it with the comb... other than that nothing really out of the ordinary.

Rubbing alcohol is still not enough. Any needle that is inserted into your body needs to be sterilized with an autoclave.

Cleaning it with soap and water is perfect. Good job on that, most people cake chemicals on their piercings thinking it will help, and it doesn't. Can you describe how it gets yucky? Is it just the buildup of "crusties", or something different? If it is just the crusties all you need to do is soak your ear in warm water and remove the crust gently with a Q-tip. Hydrogen Peroxide is generally not good for piercings and can dry them out and irritate them.

The fact that it was yanked with a comb could very well be the reason for the bump, because it sounds like you are doing everything else perfectly. Sleeping on it just every once in a while usually will not cause such a persistent bump.

Now when the bump rises again, put a warm compress on it for 10 minutes twice a day. This will usually cause the fluids inside to rise to the surface and drain on their own. Don't poke it with a needle anymore because when you do, the fluid just builds back up again. If you allow it to drain on its own, that should take care of the bump. Don't put any unneeded chemicals on your piercing if at all possible, because they will not help this bump.

If you start showing any signs of infection such as severe redness, severe swelling, or a green or yellowish discharge that stinks, see a doctor for antibiotics.

Good luck and I hope this little mishap is gone soon. :)

Thanks so much! I will stop poking with the needle and the next time I get the bump I will try as you say. Thanks!!

You're welcome! I hope it turns out OK! :)