Itchy itchy ITCHY piercing!?

Question

Arghh, my Tragus piercing is so ITCHY its hard to stand it! I've heard before that an itchy piercing is a sign that it is healing...but, i've never had a piercing that has itched before (and I've had many) I think I may have had this piercing for nearly a week? Maybe a bit less. After five minutes of the piercing, it stopped hurting and hasn't hurt since. I havn't played with it at all, I don't sleep on that side so it hasn't had pressure applied to it, i've cleaned it twice daily with a few hot compresses thrown in here and there (so i know its clean) and ive kept my hair clipped back the whole time. So, why do you think it's itchy? I dunno if it is the healing thing, its never happened to me before and its only been a week (bit less even) can it really be healing after a week? I doubt this so much. Anyway, opinions/facts/experiences really would help. I can control the itching i just want to know what it means.

Answer 1

don't scrath it! you could give yourself an infection if you don't already have one. if the jewelry is fake, it could be breaking you out.

Answer 2

Examine your cleaning routine. That may be the issue. You may be over cleaning. Try backing off on the cleaning. Cleanse once a day or take back on the compresses. Are you using soap or sea salt? You may be drying it out so much that its itching all to h**l and back again. Lay off a little and see if it helps. If it still is giving you h**l, go and talk to your piercer.

Answer 3

*GASP*  How can you pierce your TRAGUS??

I'll back Suzy's answer!

If it's ITCHING it's probably a sensitivity to the metal, not bacteria.  If that's the case, you'll likely need to remove it, and re-pierce with gold after that issue has healed.  Turning it won't help, and it'll probably re-stick quickly.  If it starts to turn grey around the piercing, take it out without delay, or it might get infected.

Even if you are not allergic to stainless steel in other piercings, you could be in this one.  I have two piercings in each ear lobe, and none have ever given me issue.  I tried to pierce my upper ear 3 TIMES, and it was rejected each time.  What I remember is the itching, spray, turn, itch...

If you had it professionally pierced, give 'em a call, and see what they want you to do.

Best,

SF

EDIT:

Suit yourself, but gold is what my piercer had me try on the third time.  And you can be allergic just in one place on your ear, it's why I think you should ask your piercer if you haven't.  I'm aware that gold is more porous, but there's a cost/payoff.  They DO make the piercing jewelry.  Anyway, good luck!

Answer 4

Itching = Healing.  

Answer 5

honestly its healing cause a lot of piercing when you get them done after you get them done like a week or so it will start to be very itchy and thats a sign of it healing.. which its a great thing to know cause you know its not infected or anything....

Answer 6

Your skin might be very sensitive. I can only use nickel- free piercing guns and nickel-free earrings, body ring...etc. There is lotion available to prevent itching and sensitivity.  

Answer 7

I would like to add to emmy's very good answer.

By stating that as long as it isn't red, inflamed, or oozing anything then Emmy's advice may works.

My daughter and I have had many ear surgeries which I think is where you are refering to. That area always seems to itch like crazy when it heals.

If it does become red, inflamed you could try an over the counter antibiotic ointment (i use bactroban but I'm not sure it is OTC)

check with whoever did your peircing for more info or a doctor.