pierced ears in The AnswerBank: Body & Soul

pierced ears

Hello, I've got pierced ears and have just started wearing earrings again after a long break. However, my right ear lobe, or rather the area around the pierced hole bit is very sore now - not least because it was a bit of a challenge getting the post of the earring to go through the hole, especially the one at the back of my ear. The hole is now there again but it's all a bit oozy. Have been dabbing surgical spirit on the area - any more suggestions or advice would be more than welcome. Many thanks, Chox.

09:20 Sun 24th Jun 2012

Prudie

I put Savlon on mine when an earring has made it a bit red and crusty. When I had mine first done I was told to soak them in hot water and Dettol but that was many years ago.

Sqad

Sounds as though it is infected and I would continue with cleaning with surgical spirit and if it becomes worse over the next few days you may need antibiotic cream.

Eve.

I get sore ears now when wearing earrings as I don't wear them very often these days and it is partly repiecing the hole and you do need to watch for infection, especially if it feels hot and oozy as per Sqad's advice.

Don't put anything in it until it's right again and if wearing earrings again, bear in mind it would also be very easy to irritate as almost repiercing so I'd be tempted (if anything) to stick to good quality earrings (rather than cheap cosmetic ones) and make sure the ear and earrings have been properly cleaned with some surgical spirit first if they have been lying about for a while not worn.

woofgang

Its up to you but I find if I don't wear earrings for a while that the holes close a bit and its a fight to get them in. I always use a thin gold ring to get the holes going again and once the clean earring is in I leave them in for about a week, cleaning in the shower and putting germoline or savlon on twice a day. If the soreness starts to spread or the glands around that side of your face swell or get tender then pop to the doc.

Robinia

Just a tip (bit late for this time)...
If you haven't had your earrings in for some time make sure the posts are thoroughly cleaned with surgical spirit, rub some savlon cream on your earlobe and the posts and they slide in easily. Well it works for me.

woofgang

one of my ears is fine, the other one isn't pierced quite straight, the hole slopes from front to back :(

chokkie

Question Author

thanks for all the advice and suggestions, folks. the RH lobe isn't very oozy, just sore to the touch a bit. Will keep on with the surgical spirit and savlon for a bit longer and if it doesn't clear, perhaps I'll mozey along to the docs. Appreciate the helpl. Chox.

Ann

At least you still have the pierced hole - mine split right open to the base of my ear lobe 5 years ago (Euuurggh I hear you say!)It was because I wore very heavy earrings in the 70s. Its not sore now just a ^ shape when I pull my ear. I wish I could do something about it as I can't wear an earring in that ear now. Anyone got any ideas?