If you've recently had a new ear piercing done, you are probably looking forward to changing your finger piece for a trendy one. Before doing this, however, you must clean the hole and take care of it to prevent infections from developing. Although the process requires patience and persistence, know that it is quite simple.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Protect Your Ears While Getting Pierced
Step 1. Choose a professional studio to get your ears pierced
Doctors strongly advise against piercings at home. Instead, you should find a studio where there are experienced professionals who can do the job properly. While there are no guarantees that an infection will not develop in the future, doing the procedure in proper hygienic conditions is more likely to heal the ears properly.
There are national rules and laws that regulate the activity of piercers; body artists must also comply with a series of health protocols. However, it is always a good habit to go to different offices to make sure that all the hygiene rules are respected and to check the level of preparation, before choosing the professional to rely on
Step 2. Find reviews on the studio you want to refer to
If you've never had a piercing done before, you can ask friends for some advice to find a safe place. Ask them how the procedure went, if they had any difficulty cleaning the piercing, and if they had any infections.
- You should also look at their piercings - do you like how they have been placed?
- In addition to visiting the studios suggested by friends, you should also do some research online about the professionals you would like to contact.
Step 3. Make sure the equipment and jewelry are sterilized
When you're looking for the best place to get your ears pierced, stay in the studio area, see how other clients are being drilled, and ask the staff questions. Verify that all the material being used, including the jewelry, has been sterilized in advance.
Experts recommend relying on a studio equipped with an autoclave, a machine that sanitizes and sterilizes
Step 4. Verify that only new disposable needles are used
Doctors also advise avoiding studies where needles are recycled (a practice prohibited by law), even if subjected to sterilization.
- If the piercer uses a pistol to pierce the lobes, make sure it is a disposable tool or that it is equipped with disposable sterilized cartridges.
- These tools are sometimes referred to as "encapsulated needle guns". This means that the earring is sealed and inserted into the gun, thus reducing the chances of transferring bacteria to the ear.
Step 5. Take extra precautions if you want to puncture the ear cartilage
While you must always choose the safest and cleanest studio to get a piercing, you must be especially cautious when you want to put an earring in the cartilage. Since this part of the ear does not receive the blood supply, it takes longer to heal and is more difficult to heal in case of infections.
Doctors recommend using only new needles or encapsulated needle guns for this procedure
Step 6. Make sure the piercer has implemented all the security protocol
Only allow him to pierce your ears if he begins the procedure by washing his hands thoroughly or using an alcoholic sanitizer. He should also wear gloves, as well as clean and sterilize the ear before piercing it.
Don't be afraid to get up from your chair and walk away if any of these steps are ignored
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the New Piercing
Step 1. Wash the surrounding skin and hands using mild antibacterial soap and water
Before cleaning the piercing directly, it is essential that the hands and the whole ear are sanitized, to avoid transferring dirt or bacteria into the wound.
Choose a mild soap and avoid any scented cleanser that can irritate sensitive skin
Step 2. Use simple saline solution to flush the hole
Doctors recommend using this product which you can also prepare yourself:
Mix a pinch of sea salt or a teaspoon of table salt in 250ml of hot water
Step 3. Apply the solution with clean, disposable cotton twice a day
Instead of using reusable cloths, you should dip gauze, cotton wool, or the tip of a cotton swab into the liquid each time you clean the piercing.
Gently wash the area around the hole with the saline solution
Step 4. Move the earring back and forth slightly
Many experts recommend doing this with great care, to allow the saline solution to penetrate the hole and clean it thoroughly.
Step 5. Be careful not to over-clean it
Washing the piercing more than twice a day can cause irritation that could extend the healing time beyond what is necessary.
Step 6. Do not use denatured alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
You may think these are perfect ways to sterilize the wound, but know that both slow down the healing process by overdrying the wound and killing healthy skin cells.
Step 7. Resist the urge to apply other medicinal products
Experts advise against using antibiotic ointments or creams, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor to treat the infection; they could be counterproductive to healing, as they slow the flow of oxygen to the wound.
Their sticky texture can also trap dirt and bacteria, putting you at greater risk
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the Piercing
Step 1. Try to keep the wound dry as much as possible
You should make sure that the piercing stays dry, especially if it has been done recently (at least in the first three days). Even if obviously the wound gets wet when washing with the saline solution, you still need to allow it to dry quickly.
Step 2. Shower carefully
If you don't have to wash your hair, wear a shower cap when you wash. If not, do your best to keep the shampoo and water from coming into contact with your ears.
Don't think that the shampoo that runs over the piercing is enough to wash the wound; if anything, the ingredients of the cleanser irritate the piercing even more
Step 3. Avoid the pool
You need to find activities other than swimming to train while you wait for the new piercing to heal. Stay away from public pools, whirlpools or, if you really want to get in, at least avoid dipping your head!
Step 4. Make sure that the wound area only comes into contact with clean material
In addition to making sure your hands and cleaning materials are sanitized, you should also carefully wash all bedding, hats, and scarves that could touch the piercing.
You should also tie your hair up for a while so it doesn't touch your ear
Step 5. Treat the piercing gently
If you only have one ear pierced, you will probably find it more comfortable to sleep on the opposite side, allowing the wound to heal faster.
If you've had a bilateral piercing, try sleeping on your back and avoid putting pressure on your ears
Step 6. Change the way you use your phone
You must be careful when talking on the phone to avoid pressing on the ear and the handset touching the piercing, as it can be covered with dirt and bacteria.
Consider using the speakerphone feature for some time
Step 7. Look for signs of infection
Even if you follow all the instructions described here diligently, there is always a risk of an infection developing. Go to the doctor's office immediately as soon as you notice the first symptoms.
- If the ear or surrounding skin becomes swollen and red, it could mean it is developing.
- You may notice yellow or green exudate and the area may be very painful to touch.
- Likewise, if your ear is hot or you have a fever, the piercing may have become infected, in which case you should seek the help of the doctor without delay.
Step 8. Do not remove the earring if you are concerned that there is an infection
You may be tempted to pull it out immediately, but it's best to wait until you have the wound brought to your doctor's attention.
- If you remove the jewelry too soon, the hole may start to heal and trap infection inside.
- In this case, an abscess would develop which requires painful and invasive treatment.
Step 9. Discuss with your doctor about taking stronger antibiotics to treat a cartilage infection
This type of piercing is more prone to complications and, in case of infection, the treatments are more complex than those required for other parts of the ear. The cause is the absence of blood supply to the cartilage which hinders the action of antibiotics.
Talk to your doctor about the medications he is prescribing you to treat the infection; sometimes more potent medicines are needed
Step 10. Rule out any metal allergies
If your ear doesn't look infected but is causing you discomfort, itching, or is slightly swollen, it could be a sensitivity or allergic reaction to the jewelry material. Many people are allergic to nickel, cobalt and / or white gold.
- The best metals for a new piercing are surgical stainless steel, titanium, or 14- or 18-karat gold.
- Niobium is also a viable alternative.
Step 11. Be patient
While following all the cleaning procedures and even without infections, a piercing wound needs time to heal. If you have had your earlobe pierced, you will need to wait 4-6 weeks for the healing process to be complete.
If the piercing involves the pinna (the part above the earlobe), you will need to be patient for 12 to 16 weeks
Step 12. Hold the bar jewelry until the wound has healed completely
If you take it out before the wound has healed, the hole begins to close. For this reason, you should leave it in place, even when you sleep, until the piercing has healed.
Step 13. Give your ears a break once they have healed
It is generally worthwhile to remove the jewel from time to time, especially during sleep, when the wound has healed.
Step 14. Continue cleaning the piercing
Get used to cleaning the jewelry with rubbing alcohol every time you remove it and before inserting it again (do the same with a new earring).
