Cartilage piercings are a fun and trendy self-expression, but they require a lot of care, especially during the healing phase. The piercing must be treated delicately and exclusively with clean hands. You will need to wash the area twice a day with a saline solution, remove any dry secretions, and check that the piercing is not causing an infection by looking at it in the mirror. Plus, you'll have to resist the temptation to fiddle with the piercing.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Piercing Methodically
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before touching the piercing, you will always need to wash your hands thoroughly using an antibacterial soap. Touching the wound with dirty hands may introduce bacteria or pathogens.
Step 2. Soak the piercing
Dissolve a quarter of a teaspoon of sea salt in 75 ml of hot water. Dip the piercing in the saline solution and soak it for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3. Gently remove dry secretions
If there are dry secretions or crusts present, moisten a piece of gauze and try to remove them by rubbing the area very gently. If the scabs don't come off easily, leave them where they are without trying to forcibly remove them.
Do not use a cotton swab or a cotton swab to clean the piercing to avoid introducing tissue residues into the wound; furthermore, you risk that the cotton can get caught on the jewel, causing some damage to the piercing
Step 4. Dry the skin
Gently blot the area around the piercing with a dry paper towel. Don't use the bathroom towel you share with other people in the house to protect the piercing from any bacteria that can cause an infection. Dry the skin gently without rubbing so as not to risk slowing its healing.
Part 2 of 3: Keep the Piercing Clean
Step 1. Don't fiddle with the piercing
Until the skin is completely healed, avoid touching the piercing until it's time to clean it. Rotating the jewelry could cause an infection. Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly before touching it to clean it.
Step 2. Make sure the pillowcase and your clothes are clean
To avoid the risk of infection from the piercing, it is important that your clothing and the pillowcase you sleep on are clean. During the healing process, any clothing that may come into contact with the ear piercing (such as a hooded sweatshirt) will need to be washed after each use. The sheets (especially the pillow cases) must be washed at least once a week.
Step 3. Do not apply any harsh chemicals to the area around the piercing
Do not use alcohol and hydrogen peroxide as they can dry out and damage the skin. Antibacterial soaps and soap bars enriched with moisturizers can leave residues on the skin that could facilitate the onset of an infection or slow the healing process.
Part 3 of 3: Distinguishing the Signs of an Infection
Step 1. Pay attention to the color of the skin around the piercing
It is normal for the first few days to be red, but if the redness does not subside within 3-4 days, the piercing may have become infected. Even if the skin around the piercing takes on an unnatural tone (for example, yellowish), an infection may be in progress. Examine your skin color twice a day by looking in the mirror, preferably before cleaning the piercing.
Step 2. Notice if there are any yellow or greenish secretions of pus
During the healing process, it is normal for light whitish secretions to occur. However, if you notice that there is yellowish or greenish pus, it means that the skin may have become infected. Check the piercing before cleaning it, as cleaning it may remove secretions that should alert you.
Step 3. Notice if the skin around the piercing is swollen or bleeding
It is not normal for the wound to bleed for long, so consider this a warning sign. The same goes for swelling which should disappear within 3-4 days; otherwise, the wound may have become infected. Check the area carefully at least once a day.
Step 4. Contact your doctor if you notice any signs of an infection
If you notice when you look at the piercing that it may be infected with bacteria, contact your doctor or doctor immediately. To fix this, you may need to use antibiotics or an antibacterial ointment. If left untreated, the infection could cause an abscess, and at that point, surgery may be required to fix the problem. In severe cases, the ear may remain deformed.
