[Megan2810]

I have got a cartilage piercing at the top of my ear around 3 months ago now, I have changed the earring a few times but never left it out longer that 5 minuetes but when I do change it it hurts and bleeds from the back, at the back of my ear there is a lump from where it has been pierced and it itches...
Is it infected ?
Thanks.

[dontknownuthin]

The appropriate treatment for an infection of any type is an antibiotic so go to a doctor and get one. It might be a cream and might be oral but it will be a prescription. Don't mess around with this because you don't want to have a scar or have the infection spread. Keep it clean and don't pick at it or mess with it too much. The itching it probably from the infection. It will probably go away really quickly once you start antibiotics.

The bump will probably gradually go away. It could be a hemotoma which is like an internal bruise where the blood and white cells collect and they just sit there until the body re-aborbs them.

[Hrilmitzh]

Cartilage piercings can take up to 6 months (and sometimes more) to heal fully, you probably took it out too soon. If you had a decent piercer, just give them a call and tell them what's up, it could just be scarring. Is there pus? That can be a... think the name is keloid, its sort of like a boil for your ear. The lump could be an allergic reaction to one of the other piercings you popped in.

Put the initial piercing in after disinfecting it, and call up your piercer, they are experts on this subject after all :)

[Megan2810]

Thank you, I went to the piercer and she told me to sterilize the earring and to keep cleaning my ear, thanks for your help :)

[SweetDee]

Once you get a piercing it HAS to be left alone for half a year.. and turned around frequently to make sure it's not sticking.

You really should put some peroxide on it and slip the piercing back in and go to see a doctor in case it is infected. OR do peroxide 3-6 times a day and give it a couple of days to see if it will calm down on it's own. If it doesn't then you HAVE to see a dr. take care hope it works outttt :)

[LucieLooPoo]

I had myn done the other day , myns fine no swelling or puss or crust.. just wonderd if that's normal and was yours like that?

How long should I wait to change it?

And the place I got it done said do NOT spin it because it makes scars and creates crust&puss

Type back

[Megan2810]

Yeaaah I think that's normal, I think I was a bit stupid for taking it out early, but the piercer told me to turn it only half way.