Ear piercings are a popular fashion accessory for many men and women. Although not as risky as piercings in other parts of the body, ear piercings can still cause complications. In order to avoid a painful infection, it's important to learn how to clean your new ear piercing and how to maintain it once you've recovered.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning New Piercings
Step 1. Clean hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap
You have to make sure the ears are not exposed to germs or dirt when cleaning them.
Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you wherever you go. If you can't wash your hands, you can apply hand sanitizer to sterilize your fingers before touching your piercing
Step 2. Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab in the cleaning solution
You can use isopropyl alcohol or a sea salt solution. Many professional piercing services will provide a solution of saline and sea salt to use on the piercing. Otherwise, you can mix 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt with 235 ml of saline.
Step 3. Wipe the earlobe using a cotton ball or a cotton swab
Do this twice a day to keep the area around the piercing clean.
- First, dip a cotton ball or cotton swab in the cleaning solution or alcohol. Try pressing the cotton ball against the opening at the top of the bottle, then quickly flip the bottle over to allow the alcohol to absorb into the cotton ball.
- Put a cotton swab around the piercing to keep the area free of germs.
- Use a new cotton swab to clean the back of the ear in the same way.
- Use a cotton ball or cotton swab to clean the other side of the ear. Always use a new cotton ball or cotton swab for each ear.
Step 4. Turn the piercing over
Turn half the earrings in each direction. Gently hold the piercing between your fingers and turn it clockwise, then counterclockwise. This will help prevent the skin from sticking with the piercing.
Step 5. Apply antibiotic ointment
Use a new earplug to apply the ointment to the piercing, then turn the earring back over. Flip halfway in each direction twice. This will help the ointment get absorbed into the skin.
Step 6. Clean your piercing every day
You can clean it once or twice a day, but don't forget to do it. Making it a part of your morning and evening routine before bed is a great way to make sure you get into the habit of cleaning your piercing every day. It only takes a few minutes and can protect you from a painful infection.
Step 7. Keep the earrings on
Removing it for too long can cause the piercing to close. After about six weeks, the earrings can be removed. Don't let it fall off for too long because even if the piercing has healed, the hole can still be closed depending on how quickly your body recovers. Some ear piercings can take longer to heal. For example, a cartilage piercing will take 4 months to heal instead of 2 months. Make sure not to remove the piercing too soon.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Ear Piercings Healthy
Step 1. Remove the earrings every night
Make sure the piercing is fully healed before removing it at night. Removing the earrings before bed will prevent them from snagging during sleep. This will also allow air to hit the skin, which will help keep the ears healthy.
Step 2. Clean the earrings with rubbing alcohol
Dip the cotton swab in the alcohol. Rub it on your piercing when you take it off at night. Doing this regularly will help keep your earrings free of germs that can cause infection.
Step 3. Wipe the ear with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol and then apply an antibiotic ointment
Do this once a month, or if the piercing starts to feel soft. Taking care of your ear piercing regularly will reduce the chances of an infection in your piercing.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Infected Ear Piercings
Step 1. Remove the piercing and clean it with rubbing alcohol
Germs and bacteria can collect on the earrings themselves. Clean your jewelry 2-3 times a day to help keep it clean until your infection clears up.
Step 2. Apply rubbing alcohol on the piercing
Use a cotton ball or earplug. Wet a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, then place it in the ear canal around the piercing. Remove the earplugs and repeat the process on the back of the earlobe.
Step 3. Cover the piercing with an antibiotic ointment
Do this every time your piercing is cleaned, before putting it back on. You only need a small amount of the ointment. Antibiotic ointment will help fight the infection and restore the ear.
Step 4. Call a dermatologist if symptoms persist
Most infections can be treated at home by cleaning and applying an ointment. If the infection doesn't go away within a few days, you need to consult a dermatologist to prevent the infection from spreading.
Tips
- Only touch the ear when needed. Hands contain more germs than you think!
- Stay away from earrings that hang below your ears for a while, until the piercing can hold the weight.
- When you do start wearing dangling earrings, now earrings are made with very light materials. You can provide additional protection to the earlobe by using a flat plastic pad.
- Remove earrings when playing sports or swimming.
- Don't use guns such as those found in stores in shopping malls, go to the right piercing shop that uses needles. A professional piercer can help you choose the right size and style and will get it done right.
- Try wearing gloves when cleaning your ears to keep them sterile.
- Change/wash pillowcases frequently!
Warning
- Be sure to clean your ears, otherwise your ears will get infected!
- Do not remove the earrings too quickly, or the holes may close.
- If the earlobe turns out to be infected (very red or swollen / painful), see a doctor immediately.
