Infected Ear Piercing: Signs, Home Care, and When to See a Doctor

New piercings (6–8 weeks healing) are prone to infection. Early recognition prevents complications.

Signs of Infection

• Increasing pain, swelling, erythema beyond 24–48h.
• Purulent discharge (yellow/green), crusting.
• Warmth, spreading redness (cellulitis).
• Fever, chills, malaise (systemic spread).
• Embedded jewelry (swallowing).

Immediate Home Care (Mild, Localized)

1. Saline soak: ¼ tsp non-iodized salt + 1 cup warm water ×2–3/day.
2. Do NOT remove jewelry (keeps tract open for drainage).
3. Do NOT rotate/twist (disrupts healing).
4. OTC topical antibiotic (bacitracin) if no allergy.
5. Oral NSAIDs for pain/inflammation.

When to Seek Medical Care

• No improvement in 48h.
• Spreading cellulitis, fever >38°C.
• Cartilage involvement (auricular chondritis → permanent deformity).
• Immunocompromised, diabetic.
• Embedded jewelry.

Medical Treatment

• Oral antibiotics (cephalexin, clindamycin for MRSA coverage).
• Incision & drainage if abscess.
• Jewelry removal only if necessary (culture first).

Prevention

• Licensed piercer, sterile technique, implant-grade jewelry (Ti, niobium, 14k+ gold).
• Aftercare: saline only; no alcohol, peroxide, ointments.
• Downsize jewelry after swelling resolves.

Cartilage piercings heal slower (3–12 months) and infect more easily than lobes.