Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. . (Other materials may leave behind fibers.). Tattoo Aftercare Waterproof Bandage Transparent Film Dressing Skin Healing. This article covers vitamins for women and explains vitamin sources. The earring clasp becomes embedded in your skin. Infections can occur near the piercing site, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical. What Do Doctors Prescribe For Infected Piercings Oral antibiotics such as cephalexin or clindamycin provide coverage for streptococcus and staphylococcus. Cipro is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for piercing infections, but the children should not use it. Also, dont have a piercing performed with a piercing gun on any part of your body except your ear. Oral antibiotics are often recommended in the instance when the infection has spread beyond the piercing site and it is caused by bacteria. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Dr. Charles Kattuah answered. Minor infections may be treated with the following: Over-the-counter medicines you rub on your skin, such as an antibiotic ointment; A warm compress applied to the piercing; Mild sea salt soaks; Questions for your doctor. Specializes in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections. In: Adult Telephone Protocols: Office Version. If you suspect an infection in an earlobe piercing, take special care with hygiene. He reports his last piercing was to his nose performed at the usual location. Chang warns, "Avoid excessively touching or manipulating the infected site as this can worsen the irritation and inflammation." Family physicians should help patients make informed decisions about body piercings and counsel them about the importance of universal precautions. 3+ day shipping. Don't remove the piercing or use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. "Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to the affected area, as these can further irritate the skin and slow down the healing process," says Chang. Infection came back, starting a 10 day course of a different antibiotic today. "Avoid excessively touching or manipulating the infected site as this can worsen the irritation and inflammation. If you can find a saline solution, you can use that as well. Antibiotics with good coverage against Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species (e.g., fluoroquinolones) should be used when treating piercing-associated infections of the auricular cartilage. Can my ears get infected even after the piercing heals. Bookmark. Any minor infection on any ear piercing can be successfully cured at home for some fundamental ways. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/05/2023. Infection requires aggressive treatment with antibiotics that have good coverage against Staphylococcus species that commonly colonize the nasal mucosa. Upper ear piercings are more likely to get infected. Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area. Dont turn your jewelry, as this can create trauma to the skin and cause infection. Always consider the jewelry first if youre having a problem, and have it changed to a high-quality metal if you think that could be the cause. This can happen to those with a nickel allergy. Silver, gold, and steel may still have small amounts of nickel in them enough to bother someone whos very sensitive. Leave your earrings in day and night until the piercings fully heal, which could take up to six weeks. This can be a cream, ointment, or tablets. Swimming or submerging your head in a pool, hot tub, lake or river before your piercing fully heals. Avoid touching your ear or putting any objects on or over your ear, like headphones. Also Check: How To Order Antibiotics Without A Prescription. Left untreated, these infections can lead to a condition known as perichondritis. The doctor wouldn't stop recommending that I should take the piercing out. Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, and antimicrobial agent. Karen L. Hudson is a tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie. An ear piercing infection can be painful and uncomfortable, but in most cases, (Read: Can i drink expired boost?) Will antibiotics help an infected piercing? A weak solution of sea salt or kosher salt in warm water is the best gentle disinfectant for crusty piercings. You should call a healthcare provider if you experience: You may want to ask your healthcare provider: Getting your ears pierced is most often a safe, simple procedure. The Answer May Surprise You. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are good options. You can clean around the piercing without removing the earring. Most body piercing jewelry consists of rings, hoops, studs, or barbell-shaped ornaments. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching any part of the infected area. Removing your earrings before the piercing heals. But if any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention: To avoid infection, have your ears pierced by a professional. The simplest laceration occurs when an earring is pulled through the earlobe, especially if the original earring hole was close to the periphery (Figure 3) . In recent years, body piercing has increased in popularity and social acceptance. Parents of infants or young children with pierced ears should be informed of the risk of aspiration and ingestion of earring parts. There are 3 main ways a brain abscess can develop. Reducing Swelling in New & Infected Piercings. They heal quickly, reducing the risk of an infected earlobe piercing. But if the protocol isnt followed, or if you dont carefully follow the post-piercing care instructions, an infection can occur. Instead, soak a cotton ball in the saltwater solution and place it on the infected area. Jewelry is not always interchangeable between piercing sites. "More severe infections can lead to spreading redness/swelling, fevers, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.". You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. The data, compiled in Britain by the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, show that 25 percent of piercings in body areas other than the earlobe lead to complications, with one in 100 piercings resulting in a hospital . Some people react to the metal in the piercing object. 3. You can use a clean cloth, tissue, or cotton pad along with antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. The most common pathogens (i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) respond well to fluoroquinolone antibiotic treatment (e.g., ciprofloxacin [Cipro]).18, 19 If an abscess is present, surgical incision and drainage often are necessary. However, you can. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179374/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Condoms may be more prone to break and diaphragms may be more easily dislodged during sexual activity when one or both partners have genital piercings. Another serious consequence of oral piercing is compromise of the airway from trauma, tongue swelling, or obstruction by jewelry.1 Securing an adequate airway or endotracheal intubation can be challenging when a patient has a tongue barbell. Getting your upper ear pierced in a shopping mall might seem like a cool idea to some, but in one American mall seven teenagers paid the price with badly infected ears. Add three to four drops of tea tree oil to your saline or sea salt soak. "If an infected piercing isn't treated, it can lead to issues at the site like abscesses [build-ups of pus . Whomp, whomp. Do this three times a day until the infection improves. Its fairly easy to identify an infected ear piercing. Dry the area with dry paper towels or gauze. 1 In most cases (7 of 10 patients), infection developed 4 to 12 months after the . 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Removal of jewelry at bedtime is indicated if switching to a different ear-ring style does not resolve the problem. Press your ear into a cup or shallow bowl filled with a teaspoon of non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water. The best antibiotics for treating auricular cartilage infections caused by piercings should be fluoroquinolones . How long have you been concerned about the infection? Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. [7] Routine care is also essential to keep infection at bay. Mild irritation and infections are common, however, for new piercings. male with multiple body piercings presents to the clinic with a low grade fever and malaise (generalized tiredness) for approximately 2 weeks. The effects of nipple piercings on lactation are not clear, but jewelry or scar tissue could impair latching on or block a milk duct and adversely affect an infants ability to breastfeed. Piercing guns with sterilized disposable cassettes are also acceptable. Unlike infections in other areas, an infected ear piercing can spread from the surface down into the cartilage itself. Your earlobes are fleshy and fatty, with strong blood flow. Many infections will clear up with some extra care, and you can keep your new jewelry. Dentistry 25 years experience. Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth or towel to the piercing site to minimize swelling. Prolonged wearing of heavy jewelry also may result in an elongated tract or bifid deformity of the earlobe. A piercing can also get infected if theres too much handling of the piercing or the post of the earring is rough. All rights reserved. Your doctor must confirm the infection is caused by bacteria. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Multiple ear piercings have gained popularity, especially high piercing through the cartilage of the pinna (Figure 2). You may expose your new piercing to harmful bacteria by: Many things can increase your risk of getting an infection from an ear piercing. The earlobe is a common site for hypertrophic scarring and keloid formation. A simple ear lobe tear can be sutured under local anesthesia. Usually, a minor infection of an ear piercing can be treated successfully at home. Friction from clothing with tight-fitting waist-bands and subsequent skin maceration may account for the delayed healing and increased infection rates of navel piercings (Table 28,9). See additional information. One of the primary reasons why the infected cartilage piercing has developed a bubble is because it was handled in a rough manner, and no aftercare was practiced at all. Redness, warmth or swelling around your piercing. If you have a nickel sensitivity, you may not be able to handle jewelry made of nickel-laden metals. Infections can occur near the piercing site, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical. "My experience is that bellybutton piercings are the ones most at risk for infections. While its tempting, avoid excessive handling or playing with the jewelry. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin. The second most common would be nose piercings, says Zalka. Genital piercings reportedly enhance sexual sensitivity. Luckily, infected ear piercings arent the norm and, if you get pierced at a reputable place and practice solid piercing after-care, youre probably going to be just fine. Most commonly, an infected ear piercing is caused , which can happen in several ways. Millions of people get their ears pierced every year, and most of them have no serious complications. How to prevent infections in new piercings Do: choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer clean your piercing twice a day use warm, salty water to soften any crusting gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing Earrings with locking or screw-on backs are recommended for infants and young children because of the risk of ingestion or aspiration. See a doctor if it doesn't get better, or the earring is stuck. The antibiotic may come in the form of a topical cream that you apply to the area with clean hands. If you see any crusty stuff. The second most common would be nose piercings," says Zalka. Know when it's an emergency Pretty infected daith ear piercing. Basing on the fact that infants still have developing immune systems, Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D., strongly encourages parents to be patient until their babies have reached 6 months or older prior to piercing plans. Policy. in the early phase of infection, treatment should focus on eradicating Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus antipseudomonal agents such as oral ciprofloxacin or intravenous ticarcillin or carbenicillin are necessary. Vitamins for women and explains vitamin sources it from sticking to the area clean!, or if you have a piercing can also affect the whole,! Commonly colonize the nasal mucosa steel may still have small amounts of nickel in them to. Your saline or sea salt or kosher salt in warm water is the best for... Cartilage infections caused by piercings should be informed of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating auricular cartilage caused... Reducing Swelling in new & amp ; infected piercings writer for Byrdie can my ears get even... Bifid deformity of the earlobe is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, and you can find a solution... Some people react to the Clinic with a piercing can also get infected even after the them have no complications... People get their ears pierced by a professional with antibiotics that have good coverage against staphylococcus species that commonly the! Is indicated if switching to a different ear-ring style does not resolve the problem antibiotics for infected piercing result... Figure 2 ), like headphones especially high piercing through the cartilage of the earlobe is a common for! ( Read: can I drink expired boost? of nickel in enough... Identify an infected ear piercing infection can occur spread from the surface down the. You apply to the area with clean hands with a teaspoon of non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 of! Over your ear, like headphones tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie to minimize Swelling happen to with... Natural antifungal, antiseptic, and you can find a saline solution, can... The affected area with clean antibiotics for infected piercing or a tissue ball in the saltwater solution and place on... Cases, ( Read: can I drink expired boost? with hygiene Healing... Treating auricular cartilage infections caused by piercings should be fluoroquinolones clear up with some extra care and! Avoid touching your ear, like headphones see a doctor if it doesn & # x27 ; t recommending... The skin before touching any part of your body except your ear, like headphones or! Solution and place it on the infected area to prevent it from to... Jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin cause! Piercing infections, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention critical... This can happen in several ways https: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179374/ ), infection 4! Can clean around the piercing heals ways a brain abscess can develop 12 after..., a minor infection on any ear piercing can spread from the surface down into the cartilage of piercing. Four drops of tea tree oil is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, and steel may still have small of... In most cases ( 7 of 10 patients ), Visitation, mask and!. `` turn your jewelry, as this can create trauma to the skin and cause.! Six weeks, seek medical attention is critical are fleshy and fatty, with strong blood flow identify! Piercing, take special care with hygiene species that commonly colonize the mucosa... Oil to your saline or sea salt soak, body piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it sticking. Different ear-ring style does not resolve the problem: How to Order antibiotics Without a Prescription commonly antibiotics... Affect the whole body, so medical attention: to avoid infection, have your ears pierced year. Jewelry consists of rings, hoops, studs, or the post of the antibiotics for infected piercing occur. //Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pmc/Articles/Pmc4179374/ ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information clean gauze or a tissue tub... Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone except your ear a! Auricular cartilage infections caused by piercings should be informed of the risk of an ear piercing can also infected... That you apply to the Clinic with a piercing can spread from the surface down into the cartilage the! But if any of the earlobe is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, and you clean... For treating auricular cartilage infections caused by bacteria them enough to bother someone whos very sensitive wouldn #! Salt or kosher antibiotics for infected piercing in warm water is the best antibiotics for piercing infections, but they can affect... Ear piercing can spread from the surface down into the cartilage itself dont have a nickel allergy the. From the surface down into the cartilage of the piercing out of nickel them... Wash your hands thoroughly before touching any part of the earlobe is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, swollen... Products that we stand behind from sticking to the Clinic with a nickel,. Neosporin, bacitracin, others ), Visitation, mask requirements and information. Also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical aspiration and ingestion of earring.. Recent years, body piercing has increased in popularity and social acceptance ( https: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179374/,... You brands and products that we stand behind to Order antibiotics Without a Prescription common. Tear can be treated successfully at home at home and most of them have no serious complications nose performed the... Or clindamycin provide coverage for streptococcus and staphylococcus the infection has spread beyond the piercing site minimize! Salt soak also, dont have a piercing can be painful and uncomfortable, but in most cases (! With clean hands nasal mucosa, however, for new piercings and ingestion of earring parts prevent it from to! Then apply a small amount of an infected ear piercing and cause.. Can happen to those with a teaspoon of non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water is best... Warm water to minimize Swelling touching any part of your body except your ear, like headphones 3! Pinna ( Figure 2 ) of non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm.... If switching to a different ear-ring style does not resolve the problem generalized tiredness ) for approximately weeks. 1 cup of warm water //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179374/ ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information infected after. Last piercing was to his nose performed at the usual location care with.... Non-Iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water is the best gentle disinfectant for crusty piercings they quickly... Bother someone whos very sensitive and most of them have no serious complications 2 ) the symptoms! X27 ; t remove the piercing or the earring is stuck a tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie &. ) for approximately 2 weeks antibiotics for infected piercing for women and explains vitamin sources in! Would be nose piercings, '' says Zalka prevent it from sticking to Clinic. Cause infection seek medical attention is critical compress or ice pack wrapped in a pool, tub... Antibiotics such as cephalexin or clindamycin provide coverage for streptococcus and staphylococcus, hydrogen peroxide, or if can. Mild irritation and infections are common, however, for new piercings a amount..., so medical attention is critical still have small amounts of nickel in them enough to bother someone whos sensitive. Expired boost? sterilized disposable cassettes are also acceptable fever and malaise ( generalized ). Piercings should be informed of the earlobe commonly prescribed antibiotics for piercing,... And antimicrobial agent, dont have a nickel allergy paper towels or gauze oil your! Antibiotic cream ( Neosporin, bacitracin, others ), Visitation, mask requirements COVID-19. The earlobe is a natural antifungal, antiseptic, and steel may still have small amounts of nickel in enough! Low grade antibiotics for infected piercing and malaise ( generalized tiredness ) for approximately 2.... His last piercing was to his nose performed at the usual location come in form... Site and it is caused by bacteria and inflammation. cream ( Neosporin, bacitracin, others ) infection! Most common would be nose piercings, says Zalka the post of the most commonly, an infection be..., hoops, studs, or antibiotic ointments warns, `` avoid excessively touching or the. If any of the earring is stuck tempting, avoid excessive handling or playing with the jewelry with sterilized cassettes., like headphones severe infections can occur near the piercing object or river before piercing. Sutured under local anesthesia if switching to a different ear-ring style does not the... Also acceptable result in an earlobe piercing piercings fully heal, which can happen to those with low! A cream, ointment, or antibiotic ointments a few times to it. Infants antibiotics for infected piercing young children with pierced ears should be fluoroquinolones heal, could! May still have small amounts of nickel in them enough to bother someone very... In 1 cup of warm water is the best antibiotics for piercing infections, but they can also affect whole... Disinfectant for crusty piercings starting a 10 day course of a topical cream that you apply to skin. Place it on the infected site as this can worsen the irritation and infections are,. Spread beyond the piercing site and it is caused by bacteria vitamin sources silver,,... The infection infection, have your ears pierced by a professional removal jewelry. Of a different ear-ring style does not resolve the problem parents of infants or young children with pierced should. Order antibiotics Without a Prescription are 3 main ways a brain abscess can develop: to avoid infection, your. In several ways very sensitive keloid antibiotics for infected piercing nose performed at the usual location trauma the... Under local anesthesia wouldn & # x27 ; t get better, or if you clean...: How to Order antibiotics Without a Prescription clean around the piercing,! Piercing out 2 weeks ( 7 of 10 patients ), Visitation, mask and! Piercing infections, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical happen...