Question:

Cartilage Piercing Help!!!!?

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Okay so about a couple weeks ago I pierced my own cartilage. I know, not the smartest thing to do. But it looks good :) Anyways, Ive been taking it out and cleaning it every other day, and I was wondering if this was normal:

Redness, occasional bleeding, the back is slightly swelled, pus, and it smells really bad! lol.

like the stench is horrible.

lol.. but uhm yeah tell me if its normal and what i can do to make it heal faster :)

thanks,

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5 ANSWERS


  1. u have an infection. go to the doctor. next time, think before u poke a hole in yourself.


  2. You have got an infection go see your dooctor asap.

    PS you shouldnt remove the jelwery now and you shouldnt of been taking it out and in to clean. That irratied it a lot.

  3. im sorry to say this but your cartilage piercing is infected cause bleed, swollen, pus and unusual odour is signs of infection!

    Include increased pain, increased redness and an increase in the amount and thickness of the discharge. The infected discharge is usually thick and yellow, green or grey and may have an unusual odour. Consult with your physician or piercer and do not remove the jewelry until you seek advice. Removing the jewelry may prevent pus draining and cause an abscess to form.

        *  Do not touch your piercing unless you are cleaning it. Unwashed hands carry bacteria and your piercing is a point where these bacteria can penetrate below your skin and cause an infection.

        * While healing, your piercing will need to be cleaned once daily.

        * Cleaning more often than this will harm your piercing.

        * You will need to use an antibacterial soap that contains either chloroxylenol or triclosan (e.g. Dettol Liquid Soap).

          The step-by-step procedure is:

       1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap.

       2. Wet the piercing with plain water.

       3. Put a few drops of antibacterial soap on the piercing and work them into a lather with a cotton bud.

       4. Try to loosen any crusted discharge and float it off the jewelry and your skin with the cotton bud.

       5. Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for two minutes while rotating the jewelry back and forth, allowing the disinfectant to penetrate the piercing.

       6. Rinse with water and air dry thoroughly. Do not dry with a towel, which may carry bacteria.

    Salt water soaks are good to loosen up crusty formations. You can make salt water by adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt to one cup of clean water. You do not need strong cleaning agents if the area is infection-free. Do not use alcohol or Peroxide to clean the area at any time. They will dry out your skin. Betadine will discolor gold jewelry. Wash your hands with soap before touching or cleaning the pierced part during the healing process. Don’t let anyone else touch the pierced part during the healing period. Avoid contact with other people’s body fluids. (saliva, sweat, etc.

    The area around the new piercing must be kept clean and allow the body to heal around the jewelry. Piercing sites that are covered by clothes such as nipple, navel, or genital piercings may become infected because of perspiration and rubbing of clothing. Piercers stress the importance of not fingering the jewelry to prevent infection.

    Guidelines for care of new piercing sites: Clean the piercing area with an antibacterial soap twice a day. This is enough to keep the piercing clean and allow the body to heal. Gently wash the area surrounding and including the piercing with the soap. Remove all crusty formations from the piercing and jewelry. Rinse off the soap, making sure that all the soap and crust formations are gone.


  4. STOP TAKING IT OUT. i pierced my own cartilage too, the easiest way to let it heal is leave it alone, clean it with triple anti-biotic like 3 times a week. and just let it be. twist it around occasionally. =]

  5. Ok.

    You need to stop taking it out. There is no need to remove jewelry to clean a fresh piercing, it's probably the reason you still have bleeding.

    Soak the piercing for 10 mins in a solution made of 1/4 tsp non-iodized sea salt and 1 cup warm water. Do this 2-3 times per day.

    I would be VERY concerned about a horrible smell. It could indicate necrotic tissue. If you notice any discoloration in addition to the smell, please see your doctor immediately.

    If the discharge you have is white or yellowish white, it's normal. It's called lymph and most piercings will discharge lymph for a few months. If it's green it could indicate an infection, you will need to see a doctor in this case. Most topical over the counter antibiotic creams are not for use on puncture wounds so you will need to see your doctor for oral antibiotics and to confirm infection.

    You should also not have swelling at this point, although removing the jewelry and poor aftercare are most likely the cause. If you notice discoloration, deformity or pain (more than just soreness) get to the doctor. Piercing with something that isn't sharp (and I mean tri-beveled laser cut sharp - like piercing needles) can actually cause the cartilage to shatter.  

    If you're unsure about any of it, you can visit a professional piercer in your area to get an opinion. Seeing the problem is better for figuring out what's wrong. Expect at least a bit of a lecture though.  

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