I got my ears pierced a few days ago and they still kinda hurt. How can I prevent them from getting infected?

[Moonrisekitten]

I got my ear lobes pierced at Claire's in the mall about 3 days ago and I've been cleaning them with rubbing alcohol and the solution they have me, using a mix of qtips and cotton balls. They don't always hurt but they throb a little sometimes. And they kinda hurt if I mess with them. I can't really sleep on my ears. They don't feel infected but they do feel a little sore. My boyfriend thinks its normal but I don't want them to get infected and have the whole experience just be a waste of time and money. They aren't red, bleeding, or anything like that, but the hole is a little pink, or like my boyfriend put it, "a little bruised". I just really want to know how normal this is and iff there is anything else I should be doing or looking out for

Updates

+1 y

Okay so it's been a little while and Rey kinda itch and feel sore a bit after I clean them. Not too bad, but noticeable. How can I really tell if they are getting infected or not? I hate the guessing game

Updates

+1 y

They*

[MAJ4251]

Don't worry, that's normal. Now I wouldn't have recommended going to Claire's to get a piercing done since the chance of infection is slightly higher due to the fact that the piercing guns they use can't be sterilized as well because they are plastic, but as long as you clean them and keep your hands off them, they'll heal just fine. (If you happen to get another ear piercing again in the future, I'd recommend going to a tattoo shop. Their equipment can be better sterilized since they use stainless steel and the healing time for piercings is usually shorter since they're using hollow needles instead of just the ear ring itself to do the initial piercing. The hollow needle actually cuts a hole through the earlobe making room for the jewelry, while a piercing gun just forces the ear ring through causing more trauma to the area.)

DON'T use alcohol to clean a fresh piercing. It does more harm than good because it's too strong and will prolong the healing process. The solution that you were given is good enough. Non iodized sea salt mixed with warm water or H2Ocean (my personal preference) is good too. You could also gently clean them with unscented soap while in the shower, just make sure it's completely washed off.

Since you got them piercing with a piercing gun, you could have soreness or redness for a week or two. Everyone is different. The redness may go away once you stop using the rubbing alcohol. Clean them 2-3 times a day with the solution or sea salt mix and they'll be healed in no time. Just make sure to keep your hands off them and make sure your hands are clean before you do touch them whenever you need to.

[Moonrisekitten]

Thank you SO much! I really appreciate the detail and extra advise, I'll definitely remember that. I feel much better now

[kheserthorpe]

This is exactly what I was going to say. With more detail.

When my daughters want their ears pierced, we're going to a -good- piercing studio.

[MAJ4251]

As long as they're not warm to the touch, red/swollen, or have pus coming out of them, they're okay. The itching is a sign of healing. The soreness could be from being too rough while cleaning them or sleeping on them. You're not messing with them when not cleaning them are you?

[Moonrisekitten]

No I'm not. Thank you so much. That gives me peace of mind

[MAJ4251]

No problem :) If you have any more questions or concerns let me know.

[teasegirl]

Don't mess around with it!

Just make sure you clean it. Don't use harsh soaps or alcohol.

The "bruising" is normal. It might itch also. But that's normal.

[Troian]

Don't mes with them and you'll be fine that's one of the main causes of infections.

[Anonymous]

Soak them in salt water daily