[launikalinda]

I got my 2nd hole in my ears almost 2 yrs aqo [at walmart] and when I 1st got it pierced, for like the first day or two I didn't clean it because I had nothing to clean it with because I was staying at my friends house. As soon as I got the stuff to clean it with, I cleaned it twice a day just like the directions said but after 3 or 4 weeks it seemed like it was healing [and I kind of got lazy] so I was cleaning them less and less. Well when the month was up and I could finally take out the earrings and replace them, I did, and for almost a year they were fine but then they started to get little bumps near the hole and it made the hole go lower on my ear. I don't know if it was because the earrings I was wearing or because I didn't clean it at first but does anyone know why I have the bump and how I can get rid of it...

[nauticalstar420]

You have little bumps like a rash? Or like scarring? And what do you mean by it made the hole go lower on your ear?

If it is a bump from scarring, apply a warm compress to the ear for 10 minutes twice a day. This should tame it down a bit. Also, if it is scarring, avoid playing with it and also avoid changing the earrings until this problem goes away. Any further irritation could make it worse, and grow bigger. :)

[AliMarGoo]

It could also be allergies to that certain type of metal that's in your earrings. I can't wear fake jewellery or anything that has nickel in it because it causes me to break out in a rash. It also seems that it could be infected . Try switiching to nickel-free earrings. I went to a professional tattoing/piercing place and had them look at my navel when my belly button did the same thing. That's how I found out I was allergic to nickel. If it's causing pain then it's probably infected, if it's just a rash then it could just be allergies. If it's just bumps, then like nauticalstar said, it could be scarring.

[nauticalstar420]

Good point. If it is infection, some signs to look for are extreme swelling, extreme redness and a yellowish discharge from the piercing that doesn't smell that good. Also Ali brought up the good point that you could be allergic to the metal that the jewelry is made of. Some people can't wear just any old earrings. Personally, if I put anything in my ear from Walmart/Target/Kmart, my ear breaks out and swells like you would not believe. Some of those cheap earrings can also chip inside of your ear (the top layer of fake metal) and cause it to be irritated. Those kind of "dress up" earrings are not good for you.

[launikalinda]

I don't think I'm allergic to it because in the 1st hole, the 3rd hole and my cartilage I wear fake jewelry and nothing has happened to those piercings... I think that maybe its just infected because I didn't clean it at first. Because its like a big red bump near the hole

[nauticalstar420]

i dont think im allergic to it bcuz in the 1st hole, the 3rd hole and my cartilage i wear fake jewelry and nothing has happend to those piercings... i think that maybe its just infected bcuz i didnt clean it at first. because its like a big red bump near the hole

Is there a liquid weeping out of it? Whether you cleaned it two years ago wouldn't have anything to do with the problem now. It obviously healed between when you first got it and when it started acting up this time.

Is the bump hard? Or soft? It could just be scarring. Sometimes the result of irritation is excess scarring.

If you are really worried that it could be infection, see your doctor for possibly some antibiotics. :)

[launikalinda]

The bump is hard and yea sometimes liquid comes out of it and sometimes it bleeds a little

[nauticalstar420]

Okay bleeding is not usually good with a two year old piercing. You might want to go to the doctor to rule out infection.

Good luck and let me know how it comes along :)