Ear Piercing Infections and Bumps

It is very important to understand the ear piercing infections and bumps. Infections in ear piercings can occur when bacteria or other germs enter the piercing site, causing inflammation, pain, bumps, and other symptoms.

It is important to understand the significance of good aftercare, which not only avoids infection but also helps the piercing heal faster and painlessly.

In this article, we will learn about:

• Basic understanding of ear piercing infections and bumps.

• Key symptoms of an ear piercing infection & body piercing infection.

• Factors that are commonly responsible for causing infection in ear piercing.

• Understanding the risk of developing an infection after getting an ear piercing.

• Types of ear piercings that are more susceptible to infection.

• Relationship between ear piercing infection & body piercing infection and overall healing duration.

• The best way to prevent an ear piercing infection & body piercing infection.

• Why are piercing aftercare products made from normal saline (table salt) considered weak and slow in preventing ear piercing infections & body piercing infections?

• Why is H2Ocean the most trusted piercing aftercare choice for preventing ear piercing infections & body piercing infections?

What Is an Ear Piercing or Body Piercing Infection? 

Infection of ear piercing can occur when bacteria enter the open puncture wound created by a new piercing. The healing process for a fresh ear piercing takes several weeks, and if proper aftercare is not used correctly then high counts of bacteria can cause an infection.

If the piercing tools or the new jewelry are not properly sterilized, this could cause the puncture would to have a high amount of bacteria that can cause infection as well.

Research has confirmed various complications associated with pierced ears ^[1], as listed below.

• Minor infection
• Allergic reaction
• Keloid (Bump) formation
• Traumatic tearing
• Abscess formation
• Embedded earrings

What Are the Common Causes of Ear Piercing Infections & Body Piercing infections?

Ear piercing infections & body piercing infections can occur due to various reasons, and it’s important to maintain good hygiene during and after the piercing process to minimize the risk. Common causes of ear piercing infections & body piercing infections include:

• Poor hygiene during piercing: If the piercing equipment, earrings, or the pierced area are not adequately cleaned and sterilized, bacteria may enter the wound, leading to infection.

• Following Piercing Aftercare Instructions: Failing to follow proper piercing aftercare instructions can increase the risk of ear piercing infection & body piercing infection. It’s important to regularly clean the pierced area and avoid touching the ear piercing with dirty hands.

• Trauma or irritation: Excessive rotation, twisting or tight fitting jewelry can cause trauma to the piercing site, resulting in inflammation and infection. Chemical soaps, hair sprays, make up, and accidents or snags can also result to reactions.

• Allergic reactions: Some individuals may be allergic to certain metals used in earrings, such as nickel. Allergic reactions can cause redness, swelling, and infection like symptoms.

Who Is At Greater Risk of An Ear Piercing or Body Piercing Infection?

People with weakened immune systems, such as individuals with conditions like diabetes or those taking corticosteroids, may have a higher susceptibility to infections, including those associated with ear piercings and body piercings.

Additionally, those with an increased risk of bleeding, such as individuals taking anticoagulant medication, or someone with a skin disease or highly sensitive skin, like skin allergies, may face greater complications from ear piercings or body piercings. ^[2]

Which Ear Piercings or Body Piercings Have More Chances of Getting a Piercing Infection?

The two main types of ear piercings are through the earlobes and through the cartilage of the ear.^[3]

• Lower Earlobe Piercing: Earlobes are fleshy and fatty, with strong blood flow. They heal quickly, reducing the risk of an infected earlobe piercing.

• Upper Ear Cartilage Piercing: The upper ear is cartilage, a thick, stiff tissue with less blood flow. Piercings in the upper ear are more likely to become infected, and infections in your upper ear are sometimes serious.

Scientific data confirms that ear cartilage piercings are inherently riskier than lobe piercings. Clinicians should respond aggressively to potential auricular chondritis and consider Pseudomonas a possible cause of the pending culture test result. ^[4]

Different Types of Body Piercings

Body piercings involve puncturing a part of the body to create an opening through which jewelry can be worn. There are different varieties of body piercings, which can be classified according to their location. Here’s a quick overview of some typical types:

• Nose Piercing: It can be done on either side of the nostril or through the nasal septum (cartilage).

• Facial Piercing: Facial piercings are the types that involve general areas on the face. For example, piercings on the cheeks, eyebrows, around the cheekbones, forehead, or chin are common forms of facial piercings.

• Oral Piercing: It involves the parts of the mouth, usually the lips and the tongue piercing.

• Navel Piercing: Piercings placed through the navel, i.e., belly button piercings.

• Nipple Piercing: Piercing through the nipples.  

• Genital Piercing: A piercing in the body’s sensual area. For male genital piercings (Prince Albert and Frenum piercings on penis) and female genital piercings (clitoral hood and labia piercings on the vagina).

It is very important to remember that the healing period and aftercare requirements may differ based on the type of piercing and its location. To limit the possibility of complications, piercing should be conducted in a clean and hygienic environment, followed by proper aftercare protocols.

What Are the Common Signs of an Ear Piercing Infections & Body Piercing Infections?

An ear piercing infection or body piercing infection can lead to various symptoms, depending on the severity of the infection. Common symptoms of an ear piercing infection or body piercing infection include: 

• Redness: The area around the piercing may become noticeably red or more intensely colored than the surrounding skin.

• Swelling: Inflammation and swelling can occur at the site of the piercing, making the earlobe or cartilage appear puffy.

• Pain or tenderness: The pierced area may be sensitive to touch, and there may be discomfort or pain, especially when moving or touching the earring.

• Heat: The infected area might feel warm to the touch due to increased blood flow and inflammation.

• Discharge: Pus or other discharge (yellow or white fluid) may emerge from the piercing site. This is a clear sign of an infection. This is not the same as lymph secretion which is white to clear pus that happens commonly.

• Itching: Some people may experience itching around the piercing, which can be a sign of irritation or infection.

• Odor: An unpleasant smell may accompany the discharge from the infected piercing.

• Development of a bump: An ear piercing bump (keloid) is a common issue that can arise during the healing process of a piercing. A raised bump or keloid may form at the piercing site, indicating an inflammatory response. This can be a fatty cyst like fluid that forms like large pimples that you don’t want to touch or squeeze. This can lead to further infection.

Does an Ear Piercing Infection or Body Piercing Infection Delay the Healing Period?

The approximate healing time for ear lobe piercing is 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, it is very important to keep the healing tissue calm and maintain hygiene to avoid infection.

In cases of ear piercing infection & body piercing infections, the healing process is irritating, painful, and will definitely delay the healing time. Anytime there is trauma to unhealed wound, it usually resets the time to heal again from the beginning.

How Do I Prevent an Ear Piercing or Body Piercing Infection?

Like any other wound in the body, ear piercing infections or body piercing infections can be prevented with improved hygiene practices and using proper aftercare products.

Maintaining Hygiene and Cleanliness

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the pierced area to avoid infection through the transmission of bacteria.

Avoid Rotating Jewelry 

 Turning or twisting the jewelry can disturb the healing process and irritate the piercing. The dried discharge or crusties maybe sharp enough to cut open the inside puncture wound and cause excess bleeding.

Avoid Removing Jewelry

Removing the earring before complete healing can lead to the piercing holes closing up and trapping the infection. Using H2Ocean’s Body Piercing Antibacterial Foam Soap and soaking with H2Ocean’s Red Sea Salt Soaks can help soften crusties, ease irritation, and prevent infection.

Proper Piercing Aftercare

 Piercing aftercare is a crucial part of the piercing process. Proper aftercare of the ear piercing site helps to prevent infections and promote healthy healing. H2Ocean’s piercing aftercare with natural, effective, mineral rich safe products is very essential for a proper healing process. It is recommended to cleanse your puncture or pierced area multiple times a day. For many years, sea salt soaks have been recommended to be used 2 times a day by the top professional body piercers.

Avoid alcohol and hydrogen peroxide based piercing aftercare products

The Association of Professional Piercers, recommends avoiding cleaning the pierced area with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or any harsh products, as these products will damage cells and delay the healing process. ^[6]The burning and stinging from chemicals or even harsh natural ingredients can cause delays in the healing process.

Avoid ordinary saline piercing aftercare products

Homemade piercing aftercare saline solutions that are made from highly processed table salt (sodium chloride) are very weak, slow, and do not work properly.

Avoid oils or ointments

Oils and ointments will leave residue in the wound and on jewelry. It will also clog skin pores and keep the punctured wound from closing, prolonging the healing process. This can also lead to further problems by not allowing the saline sprays to penetrate and feed the cells the minerals they need for fast healing. Also, oils and ointments can suffocate the wound, and the skin cells heal from the inside out and need to breathe.

Use sea salt based natural piercing aftercare products

Keeping the piercing area regularly clean with effective natural aftercare products keeps the healing tissues calm, nourished, and helps to heal piercings faster without any complications. H2Ocean’s patented piercing aftercare products made from hand harvested, unrefined Red Sea salt contain 82 minerals and enzymes that safely clean, soothe, and gently heal the ear piercings.

Consult a Professional

In most cases, minor ear piercing infections & body piercing infections go away within 2 weeks with proper home care.^[7] If the infection persists or worsens, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Why Are Ordinary Saline Products and Some Piercing Sprays Made From Table Salt (Sodium Chloride) Ineffective For Ear Piercing Infection & Body Piercing Infection and Healing?

Scientific literature advocates the use of a saline solution to clean the piercing.^[8] However, it is also important to note that it is also emphasized to avoid homemade salt solutions.^[7]

Homemade saline solutions are weak, slow acting, and ineffective because of the following reasons:

• It is made from table salt (sodium chloride) that is chemically refined and heavily processed.
• Table salt is bleached and heated to an extreme temperature.
• It lacks minerals (only 2 minerals).
• Table salt is always produced commercially.
• It is mechanically harvested with huge machinery.
• Unbalanced salt to water ratio.

What Makes H2Ocean the Best Piercing Aftercare Product To Prevent Ear Piercing Infection & Body Piercing Infections?

• Authentic and Trusted Piercing Aftercare Products: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products, developed in 2001, are the world’s first body piercing aftercare solution. Trusted by millions and backed by science, its patented, drug free, non burning, non stinging, natural formula calms tissues, ensuring a hygienic and safe healing environment.

• Mineral enriched Red Sea Salt (not table salt): H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products are made from hand harvested unrefined Red Sea salt from the Red Sea, one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, and contain 80+ trace elements that create an optimal healing environment.

• Powered by Lysozyme: The inclusion of lysozyme, a natural antibacterial enzyme found in the human immune system, within H2Ocean patented sea salt based aftercare piercing products further enhances the action of sea salt saline solution. Lysozyme has been proven in the scientific literature for its antimicrobial and wound healing properties. It helps control infection against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is also important to understand that lysozyme functions best in products formulated in a natural environment rich in salts and elements, which correspond to the human saline system, such as Red Sea salt.

Unique Properties of H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Products

• Natural and Safe Products: H2Ocean sea salt body piercing aftercare products are completely safe and free from harsh chemicals, preservatives, and artificial fragrances (No smell). It is non toxic, hypoallergenic, sterile, non burning, and non stinging. Its continuous, fast acting, gentle, fine mist action cleans and heals all body piercings.

• Keloid and Bump Treatments: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray contains pure and clean ingredients that help to safely remove dried discharge and lymph secretions when used every 3-4 hours on piercings. It greatly helps in healing difficult areas with keloids, bump treatments, and all types of body modifications.

• Cleanse your piercing thoroughly using Body Piercing Foam Soap and warm water 3 to 4 times daily or before you ever touch or interact with your new piercing. Apply medium pressure with your fingers during each wash to remove any dried secretions in the pores. To reduce irritation and promote healing, regularly soak the piercing bump area with H2Ocean Sea Salt healing Soak. It is advisable to use this soak in conjunction with paper towels to soak new piercings.

• Painless, Gentle, and Smooth Healing: All the H2Ocean piercing aftercare products are made from naturally sourced ingredients that are not only safe and effective but significantly play an important role in creating a sterile sea mineral based saline environment over the healing tissue that cleanses, heals, and nourishes the skin naturally.

• Unique Range of Piercing Aftercare Products: H2Ocean offers a wide range of natural mineral rich piercing aftercare products, including Piercing Aftercare Spray, Sea Salt Body Piercing Spray, Body Piercing Foam Soap, Healing Soak, and Vegan Sea Salt Body Piercing Aftercare Kit.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Products Heals Piercings Faster Naturally

• Great Performance: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray works excellently and is the most recommended aftercare product by professional piercers. H2Ocean piercing aftercare spray manages the ear piercing infection and bumps.

• Super Easy to Use: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray is super easy to use (No messiness). The bag in can, 360 degree mist spray feels very nice, and it’s very convenient to clean the piercings, even holding the bottle upside down. It remains sterile with the convenience of having it on hand when taking care of healing piercings.

• Ease of Cleaning: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray is best for keeping new piercings as well as old piercings clean and infection free. It helps to safely remove dried discharge and lymph secretions when used every 3-4 hours on new ear piercings.

• Quick Healing: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray has provided the best healing results and the quickest healing time. The natural sea salt organic spray calms tissues and wounds and reduces pain and inflammation, with fast healing results.

• Prevents Infection: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray is the best product for piercing aftercare, helps keep the pierces nice and clean, and is great for hard to reach pierces.

• Effect on Skin: H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray is very gentle on skin and does not irritate the skin. It calms the healing tissue, and keeps the pierced areas clean that helps to heal faster.

Each of the H2Ocean piercing aftercare products is uniquely formulated, making it a safer and much more natural choice for maintaining skin health and beauty.

Conclusion

• Ear piercing infections and bumps delay the healing process significantly.

• Homemade saline solutions made from table salt (sodium chloride) are weak, slow, and ineffective in managing ear piercing infections and bumps.

• H2Ocean piercing aftercare products are made from hand harvested, unrefined Red Sea salt create a natural mineral enriched environment that matches the human saline system for safe, painless, and healthy skin healing.

• H2Ocean piercing aftercare products minimize the factors that inhibit healing, enhance the healing process, and significantly reduce the risk of ear piercing infection and bumps.

• H2Ocean piercing aftercare products are the industry’s first and the best aftercare products.

References

1. American Journal of Otolaryngology | Comparison between cartilage and soft tissue ear piercing complications

2. American Family Physician | Complications of Body Piercing

3. Cleveland Clinic | Infected Ear Piercing

4. Journal of American Medical Association | Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections Caused by Commercial Piercing of Upper Ear Cartilage

5. Clinical Infectious Disease | Infectious complications of body piercing

6. Association of Professional Piercers | Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercings

7. WebMD | What to know about ear piercing infections

8. The Piercing Bible Guide to Aftercare and Troubleshooting: How to properly care for healing and infected ear, facial, and body piercings | Elayne Angel | Ten Speed Press