I pierced my own cartilage about three weeks ago, and it really has been doing well as far as I know. I used a sharp earring from Claire's, and I took it really really slow. It did fine, it didn't bleed, and it hurt REALLY bad for about an hour after. I know it was really stupid to pierce it myself, but I didn't want to worry my mom over it. I have a high pain tolerance, so I used non diluted alcohol for cleaning for about the first week. What a mistake. The alcohol ate a little ring of skin around the piercing at the back, and it freaked me out. Now I use a strong sea salt mix, and the skin is back but it is a little white. It itches SO BAD. My mother always taught me that's a good thing though, so it doesn't bother me. I haven't taken the earring out, but I do take the back off when I clean it sometimes. I use a little syringe without a needle to spray the salt water up in there, and kind of get the hair around it. ( I have really long hair) There is always a little white crust that comes right off with a q tip. I'm really paranoid, because my ear seems to be a weeee bit more swollen than the other to me. What are the very initial signs of a infection? Am I missing something that I should be worried about? Thanks to all who takes the time to help!

Your sea salt solution should never be saltier than your tears (1/2 a teaspoon of iodine free sea salt and warmed diluted water) and clean it twice to three times a day. Do not touch it with dirty fingers.

Signs of infection include severe redness, severe swelling, and a yellow or green discharge that smells bad. An advanced infection can also include fever and/or chills. What I mean by severe redness is, it would be so red that its actually almost purplish in color. Severe swelling can look like your ear is actually swelling around the jewelry, almost looking like its going to swallow it. If you have any of those symptoms, infection is possible and you should see a doctor.

You said you didn't want to worry your mum by getting it done elsewhere but that's just irresponsible. NEVER pierce yourself unless you're trained which I'm going to assume you're not. You used a sharp earring from claires.. really? Claires earings/body jewellery aren't real, they rust, corrode and can discolour your skin/piercing. You may have saved £20 but you could end up with a serious infection like my best friend did when one of our friends pierced hers and a cyst developed, she had to get surgery and wear a bandage round her head for a week. Next time don't even think of doing it yourself.. go to a PROFESSIONAL.

Thanks for the help, and the criticism. I know it was stupid to do it myself, it was just one of things I had to do I guess. As for infection, I could either live through it or die from it, just let the ball roll where its supposed to. As for the earring from Claire's, Ive had it for nine years, and if it hasn't corroded yet I'm pretty sure it won't in three months. :P Thanks for the help again, have a great day!

You are nasty!! That ruined my life< and now i am going to curl up in a ball and die in a gutter thanks to you! No need to worry about posting nasty things! How did your mother raise you if i was your mom i would be soooooooooooooooo concerned, and make you get it professionally done!! Eufhsdjljzxcpoilhygn barf barf ahhhhhhhhhhhh ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

I pierced my own too. I pierced it about 4 weeks ago... ik I'm stupid and don't make fun of me but my friend did it with a thumb tack. I bleed A lot! But now it hardly hurts. I evan changed the earing! The earing I had in before was sterling silver. The one I have I have in now is fake silver. I think I'm going to change it back to the real one just in case. But so far I have no infections and the slightest pain. I can sometimes sleep on it. I take VERY good care of it and clean it 2 times a day. Mines fine but that's just me. My ears arnt sensitive. I never got ear infections and my cartleigh is really thin. And yeah my mom doesn't know either lol