I had my ear pierced with a gun at my local mall. I was wearing a normal stud and a few months after it healed, I noticed a tender bump. That ear looked a little deformed, puffy and red. I thought it was normal and never told anyone. I kept cleaning, even after the 12 weeks that is recommended. Finally, I got scared that it was getting worse. I went to my local tattoo shop and the piercer told me to take out the stud that I had. She said that it was the cause of the Keloid because my ear was sensitive to that fake jewellery.

She inserted a surgical steel captive bead ring. I immediately started feeling a difference. My ear wasn't as red and the bump was not as tender. She told me not to play with it and do sea salt soaks for about 2 weeks. I followed her instructions. For the first week, it did feel better. The bump got smaller. I am still continuing with the sea salt soaks.

As I was inspecting my ear this week, I noticed that the tenderness and bump is still there. I took out the captive bead ring which was very difficult and painful. I decided that I am not going to put it back in. I really want to keep this piercing. I love it but I feel that I have to get rid of it.

I am hoping that the removal of the piercing all together will make the keloid shrink and eventually go away. One day, I hope to get it pierced again... Any suggestions on what I could do to keep this piercing and not let it close?

Any tips on getting a keloid to shrink without having to visit a doctor?

Please and thank you.
:)