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Fuzzball_Kara · Apr 15, 2009, 08:01 PM

Hey guys. I just got my ear pierced with the gun in my cartilage. It hurts a bit when I touch around it and its like slightly swollen. It doesn't hurt when I twist it to clean in unless I hit the skin and it hurts a little when I sleep on it. I making sure this is OK. Cause I don't think it could be infected.
Also. What would you guys recommend for me to clean my ear with. I left my cleaner three hours away and I live in a dorm with no car. I have peroxide but I heard it wasn't that great for it. I have limited resources but what would you suggest?

jorgen182 · Apr 15, 2009, 08:54 PM

Take the piercing out.

rockerchick_682 · Apr 15, 2009, 09:05 PM

Cartilage piercings take the longest to heal. You're right, never use hydrogen peroxide, dissolving salt in water and heating it in a microwave is the best way to clean a piercing, but make sure not to make it so hot that it hurts your skin. You can either use a q-tip or if you can, submerge your ear in the water for a couple of minutes.

nikosmom · Apr 15, 2009, 09:09 PM

You can use Bactine which you can find at any local pharmacy. It's not as harsh as peroxide and also has a anesthetic to help ease the pain.

Refrain from touching it because you are more likely to cause it to be infected. If you only got one ear done, try not to sleep on that side.

If you notice puss or an odor, take it out immediately because it has become infected.

Cartilage sometimes takes longer to heal than lobes so some pain afterwards is normal.

Fuzzball_Kara · Apr 16, 2009, 07:25 AM

Thank you guys very much. My ear gets a little better everyday. I soaked it in some water a few days ago for about half an hour and it actually felt pretty good. Jogen, I appreciate your opinion but I have different ones. Thank you all

xoxaprilwine · Apr 18, 2009, 12:12 PM

You can use 8 oz warm water and 1/4 sea salt - soak for 10 about 3x a week. Bactine 2x a day, use q-tip and turn each cleaning. Basically only clean it 2-3x a day.

Use Advil or Ibprophine (sp?) (pain and swelling) and ice (I find it helps regardless), try not to sleep on it and don't over clean it of fidget with it (pick it) as it may remove good bacteria... if green stuff comes out then I would be concerned.

Good luck.

Fuzzball_Kara · Apr 18, 2009, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by xoxaprilwine

You can use 8 oz warm water and 1/4 sea salt - soak for 10 about 3x a week. Bactine 2x a day, use q-tip and turn each cleaning. Basically only clean it 2-3x a day.

Use Advil or Ibprophine (sp?) (pain and swelling) and ice (I find it helps regardless), try not to sleep on it and don't over clean it of fidget with it (pick it) as it may remove good bacteria...if green stuff comes out then I would be concerned.

Good luck.

Thanks much! My ear is getting a lot better thanks to all the help. I appreciate it. =D