Ear cartilage piercing is one of the fashion trends that is still popular today, especially by teenagers. If you are interested in doing so, understand that piercings located in the cartilage of the ear require more complex treatment and must be cleaned regularly to speed up the healing process. Therefore, you should clean the piercing area twice a day with a salt water solution and take the time to remove any residue that has moved around the piercing. Also, identify any possible infections and avoid the temptation to play with your piercing and/or earrings!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Piercings Regularly
Step 1. Wash your hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing area to prevent the spread of bacteria or other pathogens into the body.
Step 2. Soak the piercing
Dissolve tsp. sea salt in an egg cup filled with warm water. After that, soak the pierced ear in it for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3. Gently rub the piercing to remove any liquid or residue from the piercing
Wet gauze or gauze cloth, then gently pat it against the ear to remove any residue that comes out of the piercing or sticks around it. If the texture of the residue hardens into a hard-to-clean scale, just let it sit and don't force yourself to clean it.
Do not use a cotton swab or fingertip to clean the piercing so that no lint or cotton lint is left there. In addition, cotton can also get caught in the earrings and risk injuring your ears
Step 4. Dry the pierced area
Gently pat the piercing lightly with a paper towel to dry it. Do not use towels that are also used by other people to prevent the spread of bacteria and minimize the risk of infection. Do not also rub the piercing so that the condition heals faster.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Piercing Clean
Step 1. Do not constantly touch or play with the earrings
While the healing process is going on, you should only touch the piercing or earrings when cleaning them. In other words, do not twist or remove the earrings to avoid infection. Also, you should only touch your piercing and/or earrings after thoroughly washing your hands.
Step 2. Keep the clothes and bedding you use clean
To avoid infection, make sure the cleanliness of the clothes and bedding you use is well maintained. While the healing process is going on, make sure you always wash any clothes that might come in contact with your ears (for example, a hooded sweater) after use. Make sure your bedding (especially pillowcases) is also washed at least once a week.
Step 3. Do not clean the area around the piercing with chemicals that are not friendly to the skin
For example, don't use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can make your skin dry and irritated. Also, don't use antibacterial soap and/or bar soap that contains moisturizers as they can leave residue that can cause infection or slow down the healing process of your piercing.
Method 3 of 3: Identifying the Infection in the Pierced Area
Step 1. Observe the color of the skin on the pierced area
In fact, the skin around the piercing will indeed turn red for several days after the piercing. However, generally, skin color will return to normal after 3-4 days. If after that time the skin color remains red, it is likely that the piercing has become infected. In addition, changes in the color of the skin around the piercing (for example, the skin looks yellowish) can also indicate an infection. Therefore, observe the color of the skin around the piercing area at least twice a day, preferably before the piercing is cleaned.
Step 2. Watch for greenish or yellowish pus
During the healing process, generally the piercing will release a white liquid. Don't worry, this condition is completely normal. However, you should start to be wary if the discharge is yellowish or greenish which indicates that the piercing has been infected. Before cleaning the pierced area, observe the presence or absence of suspicious liquid so that it does not get washed away by water before being identified.
Step 3. Watch for bleeding or swelling in the piercing
Prolonged bleeding in the pierced area is not normal and should be treated immediately by a medical professional. In addition, swelling that lasts for 3-4 days is also one of the symptoms of infection to watch out for. Make sure you monitor the condition of your piercing every day!
Step 4. Call a doctor immediately if infection occurs
If there are indications of a bacterial infection in the pierced area, immediately consult a doctor! Most likely, afterward, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or antibacterial ointment to treat the problem. If not treated promptly, an infection in the piercing located in the cartilage area can lead to an abscess which generally can only be treated with surgery and risks changing the shape of your ear.
